Just off Putney High Street is a sophisticated joint for those after a more civilised drink.

The Venue
The Normanby looks out of place on Putney Bridge Road, surrounded as it is by hardware, kebab and curry shops, but it certainly stands out from the crowd. It’s a large venue, which is half dining area, half bar. The large glass doors look a tad overwhelming, but pushing them open you’re welcomed with the warmth and friendliness of the bar. The dimmed lighting and flickering candles add to the relaxed ambience. It’s modern and dark with understated decor, which draws in the young professionals to the grand leather chairs, sofas and sleek wooden tables for a well deserved after work drink.

Out the back is a beer garden, which is OK in summer, but the mood in the bar is so serene you’d only go outside if you fancied catching some rays.

The Atmosphere
During the week, The Normanby is quite subdued and somewhat quiet, with people talking softly amongst themselves and the music consisting of gentle blues and jazz. It’s a brilliant place to unwind after a taxing day at work. However, you get the feeling that as soon as weekend comes, the vibe of the place changes, getting fuller with people celebrating the fact that it’s Friday night.

The Food
If you’re not feeling too hungry but want a bit of a nibble, then the light bites and sharing plates at The Normanby go down a treat. From homemade scotch eggs served with piccalilli (£2) to eggs benedict with smoked salmon or roast ham (£6.50), or a hot platter made up of cod goujons, mini salmon fishcakes, chicken bites, beef skewers and citrus aioli (£7.50), there will be something to satisfy you.

The starters are as tempting as the bites with potted Morecambe bay shrimp (£6) and Cornish crab mesclun salad (£9.50), barrel aged feta and roasted cherry tomato salad (£7.50) or a Caesar salad with chicken, gem lettuce, parmesan and croutons.

Mains are meaty and full of flavours, with dishes such as the grilled rib eye steak with chips, grilled tomato, field mushroom and bearnaise sauce (£14), sea bass fillet with roast Jerusalem artichokes, feta and rocket salad (£12) or corn fed chicken breast with spinach, roast parsnips and a grain mustard sauce (£11).

To finish, the desserts are particularly interesting - especially the warm chocolate brownie with pistachio ice-cream for just £4.50.

The Drink
The wine selection is not only high quality, the way it is served to you is different from most bars. Instead of getting a 175ml glass, you have a 125ml glass and you can opt for half a bottle as well as the full one. Whites start at £13 a bottle, £7 a half bottle or £2.40 a glass for a Viogner Le Beau Chene 2006. If you want to splash out then go for the Pinot Grigio Foss Aluzza 2006 for £19 a bottle, £10 carafe or £3.60 a glass.

The reds have a good Shiraz 2005 for the house priced at a reasonable £14 a bottle, £7.50 a carafe or £2.60 a glass. If you want a full bodied red that slips comfortably down, then the Rioja Crianza 2004 is the one for you and at £16 a bottle, £8.50 a carafe or £2.90 a glass, it’s not too expensive.

For those of you that can’t resist a bottle of something more sparkly, the Prosecco for £23 a bottle and a very reasonable £4.50 a glass is right up your street. The real stuff, Moutard Prestige Champagne is £30 a bottle; however, if you’re in the money or celebrating something particularly special why not go for the best with the Dom Perignon Vintage 1996 at £130 a piece?

The beers are bog standard at pub prices with Stella, Guinness, Staropramen, Becks Vier, Addlestones, Heineken and Hoegaarden on the menu starting at £3 a pint. Alternatively, their good selection of upper end spirits and good quality whiskeys also goes down well with the customers as do the Peach Bellinis and the Mimosa (£5).

The Last Word
The Normanby is a welcome escape from the high street where students and raucous behavior prevails. Here you get treated well and you can eat and drink all your troubles away without any hassle. Perfect.

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