The White Swan Pub & Dining Room

In fair weather, this smart Holborn pub - sibling of The Gun (see entry) - is picked out by the throng of after-work drinkers pitched up on the pavement outside. The remodelled character panelled bar comes complete with boars' heads and deer antlers mounted on the walls, plus a mezzanine balcony from which to take in the action below. The bar offers more traditional sustenance, while the dapper top-floor dining room is the place to head to for the main culinary action. It's a bright, fashionable room with windows on two sides, a mirrored ceiling, modern leather seating, white linen-clad tables and a patterned-wood floor. The kitchen delivers appropriately modern, well-flavoured dishes with an eye on presentation: witness pan-fried tranche of lemon sole with razor clam, samphire, fennel gratin and clam velouté, or perhaps herb-crusted loin of Herdwick mutton teamed with grilled tongue, violet artichoke, glazed carrots and garlic purée. Check out the sophisticated wine list.