The Quality Chop House

Quality Chop House is a must for a few reasons. Built in 1869 as a working-class chophouse – a place where working class men came for lunch – it feels like a step back in time. This Grade II listed building has original features of the era such as the Victorian wooden benches, black and white tiles, and signage from days long past.

Since 2012, the current restaurant has carried the torch echoing its meaty, hearty past while surpassing the limitations of that era with a menu offering to please all – the confit potatoes are a must no matter what else you order. Its strong supplier relationships in the British Isles are evident – even in the most difficult of game seasons they manage to honour the traditional grouse season which starts on the Glorious Twelfth (of August).

Wine is not forgotten here, as part of the Woodhead Restaurant Group owned by Will Lander, son of Jancis Robinson. A constantly changing specials board of by-the-glass pours powered by Coravin allows access to finer wines. The bottle list has no particular leaning, offering a solid but broad choice of wines split by style rather than country. Be sure to keep reading to the end, where the “From the Cellar” section features a few pages of older vintages and bigger hitters.

They also own Quality Wines next door – a more relaxed restaurant/bar where you can pop in and peruse a different list.