The Cow is a trendy little pub, complete with a restaurant upstairs. It's pretty small and always crowded with beautiful people (well, at least they seem to think they are).

Perhaps there is an ironic allure going to a pub that has red Formica tables and the sort of lighting you get in working men's clubs. For us though, it's pretty homely, reminding us of former haunts. The food in the bar is pretty good, with a chunk of the menu devoted to shellfish (the oysters have a deserved reputation). Be warned it can be on the expensive side - particularly for a pub - but this isn't terribly surprising at it's part of Tom Conran's empire, son of the famous Terence and brother of Jasper.

The beer on the pumps is good and a fine drop of Guinness is poured here too, if you fancy a drop of the black stuff with your oysters. Sadly for us, the sometimes overbearing clientele usually make the novelty wear off before too long and, usually, we wend our way somewhere else.

NEAREST STATION: Westbourne Park station
FEATURES: real ale - regular guest beers, outdoor seating, separate restaurant