The Alma

There's more to The Alma than meets the eye.

At first glance it's simply a smooth, successful, expertly managed gastropub with the decor, drinks and dining perfectly sorted. Sound familiar? But look again beyond its warm, claret-coloured interior and you'll find a series of unique, hidden depths which elevate it above the ranks of London's thriving, yet decidedly formulaic, gastropub community...

A well-stocked bar offers the usual, alcoholic fare, however dotted among the beers, wines and spirits is a range of homemade pickles, puddings and preserves available to buy. Not only can party revellers hire out their own little section of the pub they can also choose, in advance, from a unique Celebration Cakes menu and finish their meal with a sweet creation tailor-made to suit the occasion. As well as a dinky beer garden hidden away at the back of the pub and perfect for lazy summer days, customers with al fresco inclinations can also order a picnic hamper to take away and indulge in a range of tasty, homemade sweet and savoury morsels while languishing in a nearby park.

Among the pub?s more obvious charms is a solid, exceptionally well-balanced in-house menu suited to carnivores and vegetarians alike. Keen to use organic ingredients wherever possible, the dishes change twice daily to make most effective use of the freshest ingredients and seasonal produce on offer. Look out for the hearty, rustic venison terrine which comes delicately lightened with tangy green tomato chutney, and the decidedly meaty, though totally vegetarian, mushroom, shallot, thyme and Gruyere pie. The reasonably priced, fresh, white Rioja also comes highly recommended.

The thing about The Alma is it wants to keep surprising you. Just when you think you've discovered all there is to know about the pub, you?ll stumble upon something else. I reckon that before long the old, neglected piano I bumped into in the corridor is out in the bar banging out tunes to rival the current smooth cd selection.

This is no ordinary gastropub so enjoy and keep ?em peeled.