Garrison The

Previous premises on this site include the Honest Cabbage restaurant and the Yorkshire Grey. Now, the Garrison is making its play for the custom of Bermondsey's trendy locals. It seems very popular and it's not hard to see why. The gastro menu runs from smoked salmon breakfasts to guinea fowl mains, and much else besides. An extensive wine list dominates the drinks options, though Staropramen and Adnams are on tap for beer drinkers. More than anything, the Garrison's interior decoration shows its aspirations. Light, airy and colourful furnishings set the mood. The assorted tables and chairs seem to have been reclaimed from an old garden centre and repainted, though we think they are better suited for dining than relaxing over a few jars. Innocuous Kenny G-esque music hovers in the background. We could take issue with 'The Garrison Public House' legend on the exterior, as this is clearly more a place for eating than imbibing and the prices tend to be rather more exclusive than proletarian. The Garrison may be the gastropub Ying to the boozer Yang of the nearby Rose (see our review). It is certainly very female-friendly and will appeal to people who aren't really into pubs. Some will love it here, others will be less convinced. Why not give it a try and find out for yourself?

The Garrison's traditional green-tiled exterior and minimalist (distressed, rather) beach-shack interior are both appealing and it boasts an actual cinema in its basement, but it's the comfort food (shepherd's pie, kedgeree, lentil and pumpkin vegetarian loaf) that brings the punters to this evergreen gastropub. If you don't fancy nearly bashing your neighbour's elbow every time you lift your fork, though, come for breakfast (weekdays 08:00 to 11:30) or weekend brunch (09:00 to 11:15).