The Hoop and Grapes, City Of London

I have been drinking in Central London for around ten years now, and without a doubt this place has the best service I have ever experienced in a pub. Attentive, competent and friendly. The first time I was surprised, the second pleasantly surprised and since then bowled over. Delivering good service is tough, doing it consistently is very tough. Well done!

Another plus point, is the excellent selection of music; good choice for the core thirty and forty something punter. And at the right volume.

Minor niggle due to Shepherd Neme�s idiosyncratic choice of lager, which I put down to them not talking to the big brewers. Odd, but not really irritating.

Major niggle due to Alistair Darling. I cannot believe how much my ordinary drink after work cost, and how much it has increased in the six months since I was last in. I appreciate that this is not the fault of the �Hoop and Grapes� management or Shepherd Neme, but when the five or six pints of lager after work cost the same as two cases of lager from the Sainsbury�s at the top of Farringdon Road, you really do have to question the world.

Still, the duty HM Gov imposes shouldn�t detract from an excellent pub, and if you can afford to go out in the City this is well worth a look.

4 Dec 2008 17:20