Ummmmm well I prefer a pub myself - give me a pint and some fish and chips and I am a happy camper.>>>>>

Never a truer word, and some of the gastropubs are very good indeed.

Comparing what is generally known as "pub food" and what now exists as "gastropub food" are about the same as comparing MacDonalds to Balthazar -- both have hamburgers.

The last time I was at a nice gastroPub, I ordered a tenderloin / carmelized onion appetizer, followed by one of the best seafood-in-white sauce dishes I'd ever tasted. The chef had been snagged from an upscale private club and did a great job with the menu. It was all washed down by a high-quality craft beer that I couldn't have ordered anywhere else.

I would have been willing to pay more for that fine meal than the ones at some of the top-rated Zagat restaurants.

so true, HonestAbe, as I said gastro pubs have no relation to the thousands of pubs that served microwaved fish and chips and week old pies.

HonestAbe, care to share the name of that gastropub? PLEASE?

Here are some gastropubs:
Anglesea Arms
http://www.london-eating.co.uk/220.htm

Anchor & Hope
http://www.london-eating.co.uk/3917.htm


Ealing Park Tavern
http://www.london-eating.co.uk/2850.htm

Miss Saigon mentioned St. John Bread (officially, St. John Bread and Wine), but I'd also suggest the parent operation called simply, St. John. I saw mention of it first in Anthony Bourdain's book and TV series, "A Cook's Tour" and ate at both restaurants while in London. The food is absolutely unique and while a neighboring table seemed delighted with a fish choice, pork rules. I'd google their website before planning to take a meal at either branch because it's definitely not a concept that timid palates would embrace. I loved them both and at the one Miss Saigon mentioned, I noticed the bakery counter where I bought an old world pastry to munch on in the cab on the way back to my hotel. The staff were friendly and treated this single female diner royally, including calling a cab for me (my companion on the trip was not up for this particular adventure). It is definitely a splurge, but not formal.

I believe the pub I referred to above is called Anchor and Hope. It is in Southwark.

Thanks.

The Wolseley in Picadilly is always wonderful. It is run by the guys who used to run The Ivy. It is a brasserie.The decor is lovely , the service is very good and we have eaten breakfast,lunch ,afternoon tea and Dinner there on several occasions and never been disapponited.

I have to second Shirleyse's suggestion of The Wolseley -

http://www.thewolseley.com/

Great architecture; great service; great wine; great food; great people watching. What more can you ask of a restaurant?

Also it's on Piccadilly so very central, and the menu is so ecclectic that one of you can have a simple omlette, whilst the other can tuck into oysters, suckling pig, and a Tankard of Black Velvet. Perfect!

"The Wolseley in Picadilly is always wonderful."

I was there very recently and served a steak which was virtually all fat. The waitress offered to return it, I told her simply to knock it off of the bill. A good kitchen should never, ever be sending out rubbish, especially when the customer is more than paying for it!

The place itself is delightful, the cocktails are poor - a Grey Goose dry Martini was actually a Smirnoff dry Martini but at Grey Goose prices; a petty point, but at the top level it's the little details that make all the difference!

Galvin in Baker St. offers really good value for money for top notch food.

Our last trip we had an after theatre reservation at the Wolesley. We arrived at the jam-packed restaurant and tried to give the hostess our name, but it was so noisy she and we couldn't hear. She was trying to tell us something, but we still couldn't hear, despite the fact she was now shouting. Finally she led us outside so we could hear her. She told us that the gas in the kitchen had failed and that they were unable to do any more cooking. She suggested we go somewhere else unless we'd be content just having salads or cold sandwiches. We left. It's the first restaurant I've ever been to where even the hostess had to step outside so we could have a bit of a conversation.