Bloom's

Though its Edgware branch has closed, this long-lived landmark is still turning out traditional Ashkenazi food, with portion-sizes and menu unchanged. A bowl of barley soup followed by a helping of tongue and chips will leave you replete until the following day. It's possible to choose beef curry or spaghetti bolognese, but look around the tables (with their stylish new crockery and cutlery), and you'll see plates of chicken schnitzel, liver and onions and the not-cheap, but well-stuffed sandwiches. It's what the punters expect. They come back time and again for meat that is more than well done, and salt beef that sadly has no fat and consequently seems to lack the flavour once found here. Chips and latkes are chunky and crisp. Chopped liver with rye bread is a standard rendition, though the egg and onion has morphed into something unfamiliar with added mayonnaise. Roast duck and beef both suffered from seemingly being cooked long before serving - and the attempt at parev custard in a pudding is best avoided.Staff deal helpfully with families, and children happily munch through lockshen soup and sausages. Those with higher expectations may be less content.