In amongst all the pubs of the area is this fine establishment where people come for the atmosphere and, more importantly, the food.

The Venue
Situated just off Baker Street you will find this posh gastropub where jeans and a top are frowned upon. Looking at The Duke of Wellington from the outside you know it is going to be the epitome of sophistication.

Delicately lit candles line the windowsill with boxing posters and old framed news headlines placed purposefully all over the place. Eclectic artwork, one noticeably by Ricky Gervais, puts this pub head and shoulders above the rest. The actual bar area and pub as a whole is very small, but there is a dining room upstairs for formal dining. Tucking into your meal, you can enjoy the good food in the comfort of the soft leather furnishings and thick wooden tables.

The Atmosphere
The atmosphere at The Duke of Wellington can be a bit rigid as it’s full of pretentious art-nouveau types with plenty of cash to splash, but that’s the sort of image it’s putting out.

There’s table service here, eliminating the need to traipse over to the bar for refills. The quality of the service is faultless, the staff do everything with class and style and are ready to accommodate you at any time.

The Food
The food at The Duke of Wellington is a cut above your normal gastropub food. It is very rich, very upmarket and the prices are just about manageable.

Starters are varied, made up of a range of interesting dishes: crab bisque (£6); duck and pork rillettes with Dijon mustard, cornichons and toast (£6.50); or warm smoked eel with grilled trevisse, beetroot puree, horseradish cream and pancetta, (£8.75). Mains are equally tasty: char grilled 45 day old rump of beef with cafe de Paris butter and chips (£16.50); roast quail with sweet potato, grilled radiccho, sherry vinegar and golden raisins (£14); or steamed field mushroom, onion and thyme pudding with fonduta sauce and salad leaves (£10).

The dessert menu consists of all the usual favourites, particularly good is the sticky toffee pudding with vanilla ice cream (£5), or the Valhrona chocolate pannacotta with blood orange caramel and creme fresh (£6).

The Drink
Uniquely, on the bar of The Duke of Wellington is a tray of essentials for making a Bloody Mary. It sits there, inviting patrons to pour themselves a drink, which is fabulous.

The choice of spirits is a bit better than your normal pub, holding brands like Talisker and Laphroig whiskey, Hendricks and Plymouth gin and Grey Goose vodka, so you know that your drink is going to be excellent quality.

The house white is an Olea Vin de Pays du Coute Tolosan 2006 for £15 a bottle, £3.70 a small and £5 a large glass. As with everything here, things have to be exquisite and exclusive, which means big bucks for drinks like the Chessagne Montracet Prem Cru Chenevottes 2001 for £65, or the Pomerol La Petiteglise (Demis Durantou) 1996, also £65.

The Last Word
If you’re after decadent, alcohol-laden lunches or dinners, The Duke of Wellington is an appropriate place to pop along to for the opportunity to sample fantastic food and opulent wine - and feel like a celebrity.

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