Marlborough Tavern

A décor that blends the contemporary and retro, candles on wooden tables, a courtyard garden, a cheerful, informal atmosphere and a mix of drinkers and diners - add on a lively modern menu and it's easy to see why this gastro-pub is so popular. Dishes make an impact for their quality ingredients, originality and clearly defined flavours, from mackerel fillets cured in ginger beer served on top of seared squid and chorizo - a marriage made in heaven it seems - to salt beef with roast marrowbone, red wine jus and horseradish mash. Game pitches up in season - perhaps pheasant breast with a ginger wine jus and thyme-roast potatoes - and desserts hit the spot, among them say caramel mousse on a banana base with white chocolate cream.