The Bull

At Highgate, where drovers once stopped to quench their thirst on the long road to market in London, stands The Bull, a historic pub now recreated as a top class gastropub. The whitewashed exterior remains, but the interior has been lightened and brightened, with an open plan dining room, creamy walls, open fires on two floors, a mahogany bar, and a sunlit terrace. Jeremy Hollingsworth, a Michelin star earner at Quo Vadis, is Executive Head Chef. The menu reflects his dedication to high-quality, modern British cuisine with strong French accent. Dishes include a fantastic array of homemade breads, starter of gnocchi with girolles, shallots, tomato and rocket pesto, main course of rump of lamb with boulangere potatoes, baby spinach, tomato and tarragon and dessert of gooseberry fool with sable biscuit. Servings are generous and the international wine list includes some welcome chilled reds. There's an American pool table on the first floor.