Everything about the Emperor is a throwback to another time. Great for old world service and rough-around-the-edges charm, but certainly not sleek or sexy.

The Venue
Tucked off in a courtyard, The Emperor has a bright red awning providing a covered spot for outdoor drinking or smoking, obscuring any signage. The effect is not terribly welcoming. Once inside, there has been an attempt to recreate a street scene with brick arches and free-standing street lamps. There are no windows, it’s a bit dark and it all seems a bit worn.

The Atmosphere
The jovial staff argue about football scores and who will top the league. Customers, mostly suited workers from the local office towers, join in the fun. To an outsider, The Emperor isn't especially welcoming, nor does it inspire any desire to linger for too long. Amongst the regulars, there is camaraderie and a sense of ownership. They gather under the canopy for a fag and a pint or flock about the flat screen TV to catch the latest match on Sky Sports.

The Food
The bar has an appealing selection of toasted sandwiches and pizzas for a quick bite. If you want to settle into something more substantial there are sharing platters of Italian cold meats, cheeses, olives and bread or a sirloin steak in a ciabatta with chips. Additional specials are chalked up on a board. There is also a restaurant off to the side of The Emperor that has a more robust menu.

The Drink
The Emperor offers a decent selection of draught beer, including Pilsner Urquell, Harp Lager and Veltins Pilsner while bottles include Peroni and Birra Moretti. The wine list does lean towards Italy, although there are enough French and New World wines to please the fussiest wine drinker. House wine can be ordered by the glass, as can Prosecco - Italy's answer to Champagne.

The Last Word
The Emperor won't win any style awards but for a nice Italian bite or a decent glass of vino, it ticks the boxes.

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