Crazy Bear (Fitzrovia)

The restaurant on the ground floor of this Fitzrovia enclave of the Crazy Bear chain looks so impressive that you may not want to descend the stairs to the bar. But with its leather floor and walls, art deco lamps, ostrich-skin chairs and padded booth tunnels, the ostentatious basement delivers another visual treat.

The bar itself is sunken so when seated at the bar, the bartenders are at your level. Behind them are five matching fireplaces salvaged from the Royal Automobile Club, which now warm their admirers with premium spirits rather than flames. Naturally, the toilets do not disappoint - mirrored floors and walls with the sink offering a view into the other sex's toilet next door. Incidentally, the gents is the right of the two unmarked mirrored doors.

The cocktail menu is mainstream with a bewildering choice of over 70 cocktails. Orders for Porn Star Martinis outnumber those for drinks such as the Natural Daiquiri which here is served with an aged rum float. All cocktail tastes are catered for and drinks are well executed.

The pan-Asian influenced bar snack menu is equally extensive with dim sum, sashimi, uramaki and other unpronounceable Asian dishes including braised chicken feet in black bean sauce . The Crazy Bear is worth the journey for its interior alone but be sure to order food.