My Local- 52 Canoes

Only open a couple of months now, 52 is a fresh face in West End, delivering some well needed variety to the dark-wood and football-on-telly pubs of this part of town.

My self and a few of my friends stumbled upon this pub by accident and never looked back. It's tiki/retro/beachy/kitsch aesthetic, pinup-girl prints, olde time movies give the place such a feeling of both comfort and also that you are somewhere special and is as perfect for an after work drink as it is a special birthday affair.

The cocktails are second to none, the table service- a real pleasant surprise, and the food... unexpectedly rewarding at a very reasonable price.

The set menu is small but contains some of my all time favorites such as rib and pulled pork nachos but the daily specials menu always provides a really wonderful array of dishes.

 Starter: Smoked salmon mousse with fraise creme, pickled cucumber, crostini and rocket salad. Absolutely sensational. The mousse retaining enough texture to identify that is is fish, the sweet and tart pickled cucumber providing a sharp cut through the creamy mouse and creme base, and the crostini a perfect texture to accompany.

 Main: Chorizo and Pea risotto, side salad. The risotto was cooked perfectly, creamy whilst still retaining texture. The chorizo added a perfect meatiness without the overbearing nature that I find chorizo generally to be reknowned for. the peas added a lovely sweetness.

The balsamic dressing on the side salad was beautiful, lovely fresh ingredients. A great sized meal if indulging in 3 courses, but perhaps a touch too small if having only a main.

 Decaf cappuccino. Delicious, lovely creamy froth.

And this little devil here, the banoffi  pie. This simply has to be tried to be believed. Done in a all-in-one Eton Mess style, it's just perfect. A big serve also.

This is maybe the 4th time I have eaten here, and simply need to now share with the world West End's wonderful secret.

Worth having a look just to see the gorgeous design of the interior, worth staying for a cocktail, or 3.