Hill Bar & Brasserie

There's a hint of North America at this Belsize Park bar and brasserie on Haverstock Hill - the owner, Michael Parker, was born and bred in Vancouver. He's clearly had a bit of a say on the menu, too.

Strictly speaking it's classic European brasserie fare - think confit duck leg with sautéed potatoes, caesar salads, moules mariniere and beetroot-cured salmon gravlax with horseradish crème fraîche. However, sticky BBQ pork ribs, maple and chilli edamame, hanger steak sandwiches, burgers and hot wings offer alternatives of a dude-food slant.

A good ratio of the global wine list is available by the glass and carafe - right up to a 2011 Cooper's Creek pinot noir charged at £42 by the bottle. A short cocktail list offers classics alongside weekly specials such as a Tokyo green tea - a mix of vodka, gin, tequila, rum, melon liqueur, lime juice and ginger beer. 

Keep an eye out for weeknight promotions, too.