Russell Square and its environs used to be a place people would dread going to. Now, with the swanky new Brunswick Centre, the area has smartened up and many of the old boozers have been revamped into gastropubs. This is the case with The Marquis of Cornwallis.

The Venue
You’ll find The Marquis of Cornwallis just a hop, skip and a jump away from the Brunswick Centre. There are a sprinkling of tables outside for the smokers, welcome in the Summer months. Upon entering the grand gastropub, you immediately notice the abundance of wooden furniture inviting you to sit down and enjoy your well deserved drink. Further towards the back of the venue are booths and big, comfy leather sofas - perfect for unwinding and chatting with friends.

The bar is large and can be quite overwhelming as you are bombarded with a vast drinks selection. Going up the wooden staircase, you feel as if you are going into someone’s house. At the top, you’re presented with a dining room, which looks very classy and sophisticated. It continues the wooden theme with faux chandeliers and a cozy fireplace that is appealing and very welcoming. The upstairs also has its own bar but the room is mainly for diners.

The Atmosphere
The Marquis of Cornwallis is aiming for an upmarket but ultimately chilled out vibe. People here are well dressed and come to enjoy drinks with friends, so expect suits and people in their late twenties-early thirties. On Thursday and Friday nights it get super busy and it’s rare to find a seat, but being a bit fuller doesn’t mean the standard of service goes down. The bar staff are speedy and efficient and quick to recommend drinks and food.

The Food
The menu at The Marquis of Cornwallis caters for all appetites. You’ll be satisfied whether you want a quick snack of calamari, falafel, sausage rolls, or lamb kofte skewers; or are after a hearty meal with dishes like Aberdeen Angus cottage pie (£6.90) and half a herby roast chicken, roasties, gravy and greens (£8.90).

At lunchtime, the sandwich selection is of a typical gastropub standard with options like fish fingers in flour bap with lime mayo (£4.60) and sirloin steak, onion rings and mustard mayo in a bap (£5.50). They are all extremely tasty. The puddings are comforting and delicious, the chocolate puddle pudding and sticky toffee pudding both with cinnamon custard (£3.50) are simply divine.

The Drink
As well as having a good quality selection of wines and beers, there is also an impressive choice of soft drinks. Cordials consist of raspberry and pomegranate, lemon and ginger and elderflower all at £1.50. There is also freshly squeezed orange juice and real fresh homemade lemonade (£1.50).

Following with the trend of many new gastropubs, they have carafes of draught wine. A glass of Chenin Chardonnay is £2.55 and a carafe is £10, the Shiraz Cabernet Sauvignon is £2.75, £10.30 a bottle. The good selection of beers keeps the lager lovers happy with Staropramen, Becks Vier, Leffe, Peroni, Spitfire and Deuchers.

The Last Word
The Marquis of Cornwallis is an appropriate place to visit for after work drinks with no hassle or fuss. The warm, inviting interior makes you want to stay forever with yor feet up right next to the fire. It’s a world away from the cheap, student-friendly Goose, and goes down as one of the area’s more successful gastropub conversions.

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