A local feel at the Duke (of York)

Slightly off the beaten track, this gastropub has a local feel and caters for local workers. The pub forms part of a handsome Art Deco building.

The striking bar area catches the eye - Formica tables, bold red and black lino flooring - and the dining area is wood panelled with private, dark leather booths: the kind of place you can picture "Wyndham Lewis" sneering at you over lunch. Apparently under new (or perhaps just revitalised) management, the service gets the thumbs up, with all the staff pulling their weight and keeping cool on a busy night.

Decent beer on the pumps - Black sheep and Broadside when we were in last - is a welcome change. Although it was busy the place remained fairly relaxed as the evening wore on.

We're glad to see improvements and it's definitely worth a look if you're in the area and want something a bit different.

Good quality and relatively inexpensive food (£13.50 for two courses), we liked everything but the mango chutney on the burger. And the sticky toffee pudding was superb.

NEAREST STATION: Russell Square station

FEATURES: open after 11:00pm, outdoor seating, separate restaurant

The Duke Of York
7 Roger Street, WC1N 2PB