Melton Mowbray, Holborn, London

Next day, the FD at work suggested a lunchtime pint. Now I'll put my hands up; if the receptionist suggested a lunchtime pint my response would be along the lines of "well that's a nice idea but maybe at 6.00, hmm?" but since it was the FD of course I simply said "hell yes, why haven't we done this before?"

The Melton Mowbray on High Holborn seemed like a good bet, although when I'd been there in the evening once it was rammed full, so I suggested we (3 of us rebels now) headed out early at 12.30 to guarantee a table. Surprisingly for a Friday the pub wasn't full, indeed felt quite spacious, but bustling too.

It's a Fullers pub so London Pride was the order of the day, and of course PIES. My word, the pies. I still haven't quite forgiven Scott (not the FD, the other one) who turned my offer of a Birthday Pie in honour of his forthcoming birthday on Sunday, into a Birthday Burger. Pah. Burgers. What does he know. FD and me though weren't messing and both had the Steak & Fullers Ale pie, resplendant in its short crust pastry bottom, puff pastry lid, and separate serving of thick, beefy, aley gravy. I am literally licking my lips as I write this.

The beer was good too. And, the more I looked around the pub (when Scott and FD were talking about cricket, or quidditch or something), the more I realised that this isn't just a high street, hope people miss Burger King and fall in, lowest common denominator type of place. It's actually a thoroughly decent pub, with proper beer, proper food, proper furniture, and, looking even closer, proper people drinking and eating in it. Just a shame it gets so busy most evenings (servicing several big offices as it does) that it often gets overlooked as a serious pub.

But my Top Hat's happily off to the Melton Mowbray, and I would urge you to try it during a quiet period yourself if you'd previously walked past thinking "Wetherspoons in bad disguise". In fact it's a far superior kettle of fish. More of a lobster thermidor.