Maggie Jones's

A truly beautiful restaurant, this Kensington stalwart was doing traditional British fare long before the gastropub revolution, and will no doubt continue in the same vein when All Bar One have bought all the pubs back. A gloriously over-the-top rustic decor features cooking paraphernalia and dried food hanging from the ceiling, mismatched crockery and wobbly wooden furniture. It's particularly appropriate for cosy winter dining, and romantic meals for two. The menu is thoroughly Anglo-Saxon, with rough pates, terrines and chunky soups on the starters list, a fish-pie that more than deserves its near-legendary status in the area, and plenty of high-quality, well-sourced meat (the game of the day is usually delicious). They hardly ever make any changes to menu or dining room, which is just how the people of Kensington like it, returning week after week to eat the same rich, comforting dishes. You'll need to book early if you want to be sure of getting a table.