The Cumberland Arms

At the heart of cosmopolitan Hammersmith and handy for Olympia, this eye-catching gastro-pub, generously dressed with colourful summer hanging baskets and boxes, is a popular retreat for people-watching. Bag a bench beside the adjacent flowery enclave on sunny days or head indoors, where mellow furniture and stripped floorboards characterise its interior. Friendly staff, a comprehensive wine list and well-kept ales (Doom Bar, London Pride, Exmoor Gold) are the draw for those seeking after-work refreshment, but it is also a great place for sampling enticing Mediterranean-style cuisine from a regularly updated menu and specials selection. Starters range from soup or smoked trout with avocado salad to more unusual arancini - deep fried risotto balls with butternut squash and parmesan. Head then towards Tunisian lamb and prune tagine, ginger, coriander and tomato with herbed couscous salad; or perhaps saltimbocca of pork with butterbean and pepper salad and caramelised onions. Meal-sized 'Cumberland Sandwiches' include marinated rump steak with chilli, red wine and onions.