THE SALUSBURY

No, you haven’t been accidentally transported to Manhattan’s East Village. This bar’s dark red, slightly chipped walls, bare wooden tables and low lighting may make it seem like it should be packed out with New York hipsters, but it makes its home in the rather less glamorous setting of Salusbury road, Kilburn (albeit surrounded by trendy boutiques, delis and swanky organic coffee shops).

This double fronted bar is a cosy, U-shaped space: two rooms run parallel to each other joined by a small bar at the rear. On one side are the drinkers tables, where huge framed pictures of bold modern art hang over a mixed crowd of media types, hip locals and international bright sparks enjoying candlelit conversations over a few bottles of good wine, bread and olives. The bar area at the back is plastered with framed flyers, signed pictures and classic album covers, revealing owners with an affinity for reggae that goes way beyond No Woman No Cry. On tap offerings include quality wheat beers Hoegaarden and Fransizkaner, Aspall Suffolk Cyder, and Adnams for the real ale fans. In the fridge are Asahi, Pilsner Urquell, and Magners, and that’s not to mention the impressive wine list with a rather nice line in burgundies.

The other side is an excellent restaurant with a strong Italian slant. Expect to sample such delights as chicken breast stuffed with goats cheese and olives, lamb shoulder stuffed with pecorino and monkfish rolled in speck.