Gordon Ramsay pub The Narrow gets thumbs up

When it seems all the pubs around London are turning into pub-themed restaurants, Gordon Ramsay has turned the old Narrow Street from a below-par gastropub, into a genuine pub with a separate restaurant that simply serves good food.

The Narrow's principal attraction is its unique location at the mouth of Limehouse basin and a large terrace with a bracing view of Limehouse reach. In its previous incarnations, this was not enough to compensate for the poor pub experience, but things have certainly changed for the better.

The beers on offer feature a couple of old faithfuls in the hand pumps - Pride and Deuchars, accompanied by Meantime Brewery's excellent Wheat beer, Leffe, Peroni and the usual suspects on tap, plus a fine range of bottled beers and ciders, along with a pretty fair wine list.

The menu is just what you'd expect - an upmarket take on traditional British food and although prices are a bit more than the local average, many gastropubs charge comparable amounts for less. On top of this, the service is friendly and the decor pleasantly understated, if a little cold. The clientele might predominately hail from the luxury apartments and offices nearby, but its a little more mixed than you might imagine and if you just want a drink here, you'll find a good atmosphere (even if one or two people drinking around you are actually only waiting for a table in the restaurant).

The Narrow is the most attractive reincarnation of the place since it was the derelict, old Dockmaster's House and the long-standing local pubs have a real challenger in their midst.

Overall, the Narrow gets a hearty three-pinted thumbs-up.

FOOD REVIEW
Not half as pricey as you might expect and the quality is everything you'd hope for. Service is sometimes a bit hit-and-miss at busy times, but otherwise excellent.

NEAREST STATION: Limehouse station

FEATURES
Regular guest ales
Outdoor seating
Separate restaurant

The Narrow
44 Narrow Street, E14 8DJ