We were pleasantly surprised when we were in last - the refurb earlier this year has removed the worst bits of previous incarnations of this pub and left it with a tasteful interior with plenty of comfy sofas and tables to congregate around.

Combine that with decent beer on the pumps, Euro offerings like Leffe and Hoegaarden, as well as local favourites from the Meantime Brewery and Aspall's cider, are welcome additions to the lagers on tap, which when combined with the bottled beer and cider available should quench most thirsts.

The wine list is on the pricey side, hovering between £20-25 a bottle for the most part, and the £150 bottle of Krug is beyond most pockets we know. That said, the staff are attentive and more than willing to help.

We were rather surprised how quiet it was on a Friday night, but then it may well be out of the price range of the usual locals - £5 for a pint of Hoegaarden might be normal, but it ain't cheap.

When the weather's better, the beer garden is well worth a visit, with views over Victoria Park. We have to say this pub is really trying and hopefully business will pick up when a few more people find out about it.

The menu is promising, and very gastro, but we can't say we were blown away by it. The beef rib plate was very nice, with the meat practically disintegrating as the fork touched it, as was the rabbit terrine.

We were particularly disappointed the waiter didn't know where the meat had come from, particularly as the Ginger Pig butchers is just around the corner.

FEATURES disabled facilities, real ale, guest beers, cider, traditional pub games, live music, outdoor seating, kid friendly, separate restaurant

NEAREST STATION
Homerton station