Restaurants

Away from the glass mausoleums of commercial property around the Euston Road corridor lies this thoroughly agreeable haven. A wood-panelled Victorian boozer, restored to create an easy-going ambience, the QH&A is a solid gastropub that performs its chosen tasks well and without pretension. Food from the main menu can be eaten at pavement tables, inside the light ground-floor bar, outside on a small Moroccan-styled patio, or upstairs in the smarter, more intimate dining room. Snackers are spoilt with an A-Z of tapas, and not just typical Spanish dishes either: there’s foie gras, English cheeses and greek salad too. Gazpacho was refreshing and summery; another starter of grilled lamb chop, beetroot couscous, lettuce and tzatziki pleased as well. Mains cost up to £13.50 (for ribeye steak); crispy organic salmon with fennel, asparagus and new potatoes was beyond reproach. Resisting desserts seemed pointless, and cape gooseberry frangipane tart rewarded a bit of indulgence. Add to the equation well-kept real ales (Marston’s Pedigree, Adnams Best), a pleasingly balanced wine list and characterful multinational service and you have good reason to tarry.

Time Out Eating & Drinking Guide 2008