Whether you need to put down your carrier bags and refuel before braving the hordes again, or round off a day's shopping with a well deserved drink, The Adam and Eve is a temptation you shouldn't try to resist.

The Venue
On Wells Street, equidistant between Oxford Circus and Tottenham Court Road stations, sits a pub that retains the life and soul of London's busiest shopping street but offers a much needed respite from the crowds. The Adam and Eve is a modern, quirky but still homely venue which gives you a welcoming hug in the form of friendly staff, a chilled atmosphere and vibrant surroundings. The decor is a combination of muted, warm olive and plum tones juxtaposed with a psychedelic, retro colour scheme. The wallpaper hits you first; most of the pub is covered in bright pink swirls, with the occasional black and white print of London dotted around. Although, with its low lighting and beautiful furnishings, The Adam and Eve is on the verge of feeling more like a bar than a pub, kitsch 3D lettering on the bookcase spelling out the word 'Funky' suggests that this venue doesn't take itself too seriously. Oh, and the toilets are clean too.

The Atmosphere
The staff are nothing short of wonderful - friendly, attentive, and interested in their customers. That doesn't mean they stand around talking all day, though. Service is quick. Of course on a busy Saturday night you may have to stand at the bar a little longer, but with so much to look at you'll be able to amuse yourself while you wait. There is a separate, raised dining area but you can eat anywhere you like. Because The Adam and Eve is full of cute, cosy booths (some just for one person so you feel like you're on a throne), it's easy to get some privacy if you're after a romantic evening or a heart-to-heart with friends. And get this - you can actually hear yourself talk. Gentle, jazzy music is played just loudly enough to hear it, so you won't have to shout and share your innermost secrets with the rest of the pub.

The Food
Okay, so you know what kind of food to expect from a pub in the centre of Soho. Well prepare to be pleasantly surprised. The Adam and Eve doesn't just offer your average pub menu. Yes they've got the staple burger and chips, and sandwiches, but everything has a far more refined, impressive twist. The starter of smoked salmon on a warm potato cake (£6.95) is stunningly presented and wouldn't look out of place in an expensive restaurant. The colours are vibrant and make your mouth water, and the smell of the fresh salmon hits you as soon as your plate arrives. The bread crumbed whitebait (£5.00) is also incredibly satisfying and is served with a deliciously tangy Bloody Mary sauce.

Expectations are high after the first course, and luckily the mains deliver. The beer battered fish (£9.95) is served with a homemade tartar sauce, mushy peas and hand-cut chips. The fish is fresh and flaky, the batter delicate and chips irresistible. The rib-eye steak, always a risky dish to choose in a pub, is beautiful. At £14.95, it comes with a warm tomato and mushroom salad, chips, onion rings and a peppercorn or bearnaise sauce. The steak is cooked perfectly and served on a wooden chopping board, giving the dish a real rustic feel. If you have room for dessert after the very generous starter and main portions, the moist chocolate brownie (£5.00) is heavenly. It's served with hazelnut ice cream but you can swap this for another flavour. The hot apple crumble (£5.00) comes with a pot of gorgeous, smooth custard and the tartness of the apples serves as a reminder that everything here is freshly prepared. One course may well be enough if you're peckish, but you'd be missing out if you didn't order at least two.

The Drink
The impressive wine list offers something to suit everybody's palette and wallet. There's a very drinkable French house white (Leran Viognier) at £4.70 a glass or £13.90 a bottle. There's also a whopping 13 beers and real ales on tap, including Stella, Becks, Carlsberg, Guinness, Bitburger and Cornish Coaster. The lagers cost between £3.20-£4.10.

The Last Word
With food so delicious and impeccably presented, and a warm and friendly team of staff, this pub is so good you won't Adam and Eve it.

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