The gastro-preneurs saving London's pubs

Ever since Mike Belben launched The Eagle, in Clerkenwell - regarded as London's first gastropub - a band of enthusiasts has ensured that the pub grub of grey sausages, crusty mash with greasy gravy is over.

From pan-fried foie gras with grape chutney to salmon fishcakes with mango and coriander salsa, and Romney Marsh lamb with butterbeans and aioli - ingredients are well-sourced and dishes good value.

The best ones harbour the genuine pub experience where you can go for a decent pint and a chat while also serving fantastic food in lovely surroundings; many get it wrong. This lot have nailed it.

DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE

Who runs it: Geetie Singh
The vibe: an all-organic pub with organic grub and drinks certified by the Soil Association. Large gentrified room features a young and ethically conscious clientele though that doesn't stop regulars like Salman Rushdie from frequenting the place.
What to eat: pig's cheek and cornichon paté with onion relish and toast (£7.25), and whole roast trout with baby turnips, green speckled lentils and horseradish cream (£13.50).
What to drink: Freedom organic, St Peter's Best and Pitfield Lager. Wines emphasise small independent winemakers from across Europe.
Best time to go: weekday evenings and weekends.
The facts: 30 St Peters Street, N1. Tel: 020 7359 3066. Nearest station: Angel.

THOMAS CUBITT

Who runs it: Gabriel Bernardi, Stefan Turnball and Barry Hirst.
The vibe: a wonderful Belgravia institution with an airy bar on the ground floor and an atmospheric dining area upstairs made up of rooms with a charming Georgian and Regency look. Clientele are affluent locals hobnobbing with politicians and bankers.
What to eat: a well-executed modern British menu comprising dishes such as smoked gammon ham terrine with baby gherkins and piccalilli (£8.50) and crisp skinned Norfolk pork belly with bacon-wrapped loin, braised black pudding, stuffed trotter and white bean and apple purée (£21.50).
What to drink: Greene King IPA, though the beer list isn't a standout here. The seasonally changing wines register more strongly with a range of "sommelier selected" burgundies and vintages.
Best time to go: weekday evenings and weekends.
The facts: 44 Elizabeth Street, SW1. Tel: 020 7730 6060. Nearest station: Victoria.

THE ENDURANCE

Who runs it: Patrick Marlin and Billie Drew.
The vibe: a perennial Soho favourite that more resembles a boozer than a gastropub until you taste the food that has even tempted the likes of Keira Knightley and Johnny Lee Miller. Oldfashioned look gives way to a crowd of Soho film types and other creatives.
What to eat: superbly rendered yet unpretentious and earthy, including items such as green lentil soup with toasted cheese fingers (£6) and cottage pie with peas (£10.50).
What to drink: Fosters, Kronenbourg and Stella, with a short but well-chosen wine list.
Best time to go: lunchtimes and weekends.
The facts: 90 Berwick Street, W1. Tel: 020 7437 2944. Nearest station: Leicester Square/Tottenham Court Road.

THE PRINCESS

Who runs it: Andrew Deevers and Zin Sutton.
The vibe: a lunchtime crowd of suits gives way to the local Hoxton and Shoreditch trendies in the evenings, particularly downstairs. There's a laid-back ambience in the restaurant upstairs - Samantha Morton is regular.
What to eat: more innovative than Deevers's and Sutton's traditional pub, The Easton, in Farringdon, with an emphasis on Mediterranean dishes with north African influences. Dishes include, barbecued octopus with preserved lemon skordalia (£6.95) and pata nagra pork cheeks braised in riocha and morcilla (£14.50).
What to drink: Timothy Taylor and London Pride. Lagers include Stella, Kronenbourg and Red Stripe.
Best time to go: Thursday to weekends.
The facts: 76-78 Paul Street, EC2. Tel: 020 7729 9270. Nearest station: Old Street.

THE MARQUESS TAVERN

Who runs it: Will Beckett and Huw Gott.
The vibe: leafy Islington spot sees the imposing Victorian building being crammed with locals and even Davina Macall and Liza Tarbuck. The bar offers a cosy ambience with comfy seating while the dining room is quite austere.
What to eat: traditional British with dishes such as smoked sprats and horseradish (£6) and forerib of Yorkshire beef for two to share (£45) with chocolate pudding and cream for dessert (£5.50).
What to drink: bottled beers such as Meantime IPA and Chimay Grand Reserve. A good selection of English wine and 60 whiskies.
Best time to go: weekday evenings and weekends.
The facts: 32 Canonbury Street, N1 2TB. Tel: 020 7354 2975. Nearest station: Angel/Highbury & Islington.

THE GREYHOUND

Who runs it: Mark van der Goot.
The vibe: slick and a little formal, but the food is where the action is and even chefs like Gordon Ramsay and Mark Sargeant vouch for it.
What to eat: grilled asparagus with home-made ricotta, slow-dried tomato and poached egg, and lamb neck fillet with purple sprouting broccoli, aubergine and shallot. Two courses £27, three £31.
What to drink: Leffe, Stella and Grolsch, and the 40-page wine list is one of the best of any gastropub in London.
Best time to go: weekday evenings.
The facts: 136 Battersea High Street, SW11. Tel: 020 7978 7021. Nearest station: Clapham Junction BR.

THE GUN

Who runs it: Tom and Ed Martin.
The vibe: a riverside Grade II-listed building with a strong nautical theme and, appropriately, a fine collection of antique guns hanging on the walls. Clientele are mainly the Canary Wharf office crowd during the week with more locals at weekends and the odd smattering of well-known faces.
What to eat: rare-breed meats are a strong point here and dishes include, ham hock and foie gras terrine (£9), and roast rump of lamb with puy lentils, spinach and marjoram jus (£16.50).
What to drink: Greene King IPA, Adnams Broadside and Young's Bitter with several lagers. Good wine list.
Best time to go: weekday evenings and weekends.
The facts: 27 Coldharbour, E14. Tel: 020 7515 7222. Nearest station: Canary Wharf DLR/South Quay DLR.

THE COW

Who runs it: Tom Conran.
The vibe: busy and cramped with tables placed too close for comfort. But that doesn't put off the likes of Paul and Stella McCartney from being regulars here.
What to eat: smoked eel with potato salad and bacon (£7.50), and loin of rabbit with black pudding, fennel and celeriac (£18.50).
What to drink: Budvar Red Stripe and Lowenbrau. Pricey wine list is good though not extensive.
Best time to go: weekday evenings and weekends. The facts: 89 Westbourne Park Road, W2. Tel: 020 7221 0021. Nearest station: Westbourne Park/Royal Oak.

LOTS ROAD DINING ROOMS

Who runs it: Peter Myers.
The vibe: a stone's throw from Chelsea Harbour from where it attracts residents such as Robbie Williams and footballer Lee Chapman. This distinctive corner site pub has a lot going for it, not least its large and airy bar and dining area, which gets packed out daily with more room for tables than stand-up drinking.
What to eat: the presentation here is matched by the quality of cooking, with dishes including rosemary goat's cheese with roasted mushrooms, tomato and spinach (£6.50), and lemongrass crusted Aylesbury duck breast with caramelised orange and bok choy (£12.50).
What to drink: London Pride and Adnams with a host of bottled beers such as Corona and Budvar. Reasonably priced wines offer a fine selection by the glass.
Best time to go: lunchtimes and early evenings.
The facts: 114 Lots Road, SW10. Tel: 020 7352 6645. Nearest station: Fulham Broadway/Sloane Square.

THE PEASANT

Who runs it: Patrick Wright.
The vibe: loud and buzzing in the bar downstairs,while a more formal dining room upstairs carries a circus theme, attracting the likes of Germaine Greer and Griff Rhys Jones.
What to eat: panco sweetbreads on soba noodle, Thai asparagus, basil cress salad with avruga and sesame dressing (£8.20), and roast Barbary duck with sautéed spring greens, thyme roast sweet potatoes and slowcooked quince (£14.70).
What to drink: Budvar, Guinness and Hoegaarden and 14 bottled Belgian beers. Wines offer a fair global selection.
Best time to go: weekends.
The facts: 240 St John Street, EC1. Tel: 020 7336 7726. Nearest station: Angel/Farringdon.