It may be another Samuel Smith pub in the West End but with a quaint beer garden and indoor converted stables, it has more than enough to differentiate itself from the best of the rest.

The Venue
Overlooked by St Giles in the Fields church, The Angel finds itself in similarly holy company. An altogether different place to worship, this pub is an interesting and unique venue. It flaunts its Victorian decor and the old stable next to it is fully covered in original tiles from the period.

The heavy wooden panelling and weathered floor-to-ceiling drapes make it seem like a slightly dilapidated country manor. The coal fire in the corner of the bar is a good touch for winter months when the physical representation of heat is so soothing. The second bar is a colder space; the floor is tiled and the seating a little more haphazard. The bar also has a dartboard on the wall - a pub game that doesn't seem to grace many city pubs these days.

The Atmosphere
The crowd is made up of what you'd expect in such a central location. Tourists and the after-work crowd are staples, but it's a destination in its own right. It's an easy place to get to and a good place to meet friends for daytime drinking or as a starting point for the night ahead.

The Angel is part cosy country pub and part lively boozer, the carpeted half and the tiled half complementing each other well. There is a good-sized beer garden at the back but due to noise pollution there is now a strict 5.15pm curfew. The punters are welcoming and friendly without pretence, which is what you'd expect from a Samuel Smith pub.

The Food
The food at The Angel is a real suet selection. The menu is a long list of winter warmers with sausage and mash, steak and ale pie, fisherman's pie and cauliflower and cheese tart, among others. At £5.95 a meal, you could wash it down with a couple of pints and just break a ten pound note.

The Drink
All the usual Samuel Smith beverages are on offer. The Alpine lager is a popular choice and a bargain (like most of the drinks) at around £2.10 a pint. The Angel also has the Old Brewery Bitter and an organic wheat beer. If you're into branded drinks then this pub won't be for you. The spirits are Scotch whisky, gin and vodka, but if you're interested in organic beer without chemical additives or preservatives then this is the place.

The Last Word
As with all Samuel Smith pubs the value is great, but The Angel also has a selection of pub games, a winter warming coal fire and original Victorian fittings to set it apart from its London peers.

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