Adam & Eve

The Adam & Eve is an elegant, airy Edwardian inn with well-chosen wallpapers offsetting the Farrow & Ball heritage paint that softens the extensive wood panelling. Tom Dixon copper pendants seem to be as essential in today's gastropubs as mismatched old furniture and a blackboard menu - and they're here, along with a set of antlers and framed prints depicting the biblical Fall. This place may not push the envelope, but it has put the clichés together very well. What a boon for Mill Hill Village - even with a kitchen of serious intent, locals can pop in for a quick pint, and families are given a warm welcome (there are also lovely private rooms upstairs for parties).

The menu changes daily and is a crowd-pleasing mix of British pub fare and Mediterranean touches. Start, maybe, with watermelon and feta salad, or St James Smokehouse salmon with grated egg, capers and horseradish cream. Continue with a burger or steak from the grill, or slow-roast leg of Elwy Valley lamb with roast butternut squash, pearl barley and baby spinach. Desserts don't ruffle any feathers either (lemon posset, crème brûlée), and are all the better for it. Beer fans will be satisfied by the great choice of real ales (Flying Scotsman, Deuchars IPA and Directors were among those offered on our visit), and around 20 wines are available in two sizes of glass, with the house options coming from Italy.