Bars & Pubs

Despite its large and enticing central bar, we were told to go and sit down at our table like naughty school children when we went up to order a drink at the Norfolk Arms. The place is very tastefully fitted out with curvy French tables, a green marble fireplace with art nouveau tiling, lacy etched glass and an ornate ceiling. The bar looks like a deli counter, with hanging salamis, dried chillies and a professional rotary slicer, all the better to cut the pata negra ham, lomo, mortadella and fennel salami featured on the alluring list of 30 tapas and traditional pub snacks such as scotch eggs. A main course of toothsome valencia rice, featuring juicy razor clams, prawns, mussels, clams and vegetables continued the Spanish theme, while slow-roast ribeye doffed its cap to British pub grub. Desserts of Pedro Ximénez semifreddo with pine nut nougatine, and polenta cake with greek yogurt were tempting but impossible after such hearty mains. A summer pudding-style Spanish rosé cost a very reasonable £17 (the wine list starts at £12). Service fell off when it came to the bill, but now we’ve got used to the idea that we’re not allowed to approach the bar, we’d happily return.

Time Out Eating & Drinking Guide 2008