Kensington Arms, Kensington  

We always had a soft spot for this one. It wasn't flash, it wasn't foodie and it certainly wasn't what you'd expect off the side of Kensington High Street. We thought such a regular boozer wouldn't be long for this world and so it proved, as this one - just like its near neighbour the Britannia - was remodelled and upgraded. The makeover produced a stark and bright interior, reminiscent of style bars from the turn of the (twenty-first) century. The one aspect that remained the same was the multi-screens for the sport, though the refit clustered them above the bar leaving the back of the pub free to operate as more of a dining space. The pub has strong Cornish connections now, with landscapes photos on the wall, Cornish beers behind the bar and and some Cornish selections on the menu. Those beers are from Sharp's Brewery (IPA and Doom Bar) and this was one of the first pubs in London in which we saw them stocked. All in all, an intriguing mix but it's one that's gradually won us over. And you can fairly say - unlike many pubs which claim the accolade - there's nothing quite like this one around. Though did we really see the Cornish Pasty (with chips and gravy) on the menu priced at nearly £8?

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