Abingdon

The Abingdon is tucked away in a posh residential neighbourhood between Kensington High Street and the genteel end of the Earls Court Road. As befits its location, it is a distinctly upmarket affair and a far cry from your traditional boozer.

The bright creamy white loungy interior is warmly lit and modern with dark bare floorboards, comfy couches and leather banquette seating. However, it is the modern European food menu which attracts the moneyed locals and ladies who lunch. The most desirable of the three dining areas is a row of dinner-style high booths under a skylight to the back left and you may want to request one when making your booking.

There are no draught ales to be found in this pub-come-restaurant, and indeed few beers with a limited choice of a trio of Euro lagers and London Pride. Customers here tend more towards champagne and fine wines. Their (expensive) tastes are well catered for with 23 wines by the glass on a list of 60 plus bins with some high end Bordeaux and Burgundies.