Awards recognise London food pub

A London pub has won a prestigious award for its food, just seven months after opening its doors to customers.

The House, in Islington, was named London's best gastropub in the recent 2003 Time Out​ eating and drinking awards, beating off competition from four, well-established outlets.

"We are thrilled with the award," said licensee Barnaby Meredith. "It's even more remarkable when you consider that this time last year the pub was derelict and boarded up."

The pub, which was originally called the Belinda Castle, was completely refurbished, with help from owners Punch Pub Company, before reopening as the House.

Licensee Mr Meredith already owned freehold gastropub the Well in EC1 and was confident the House would be a success.

The Time Out​ judges said the pub was a "clear winner" with "exceptional" cooking and highly professional staff.

They said the House "takes its food seriously" and pointed out that dishes on offer ranged from the "downright homely, such as shepherd's pie" to "adventurous, such as salt cod mariniere in basil and olive oil stock".

"We cater for all tastes, budgets and occasions, but the level of quality is always consistent," said Mr Meredith. "That is why people love it here."

Other winners at the awards included the historic Seven Stars in Covent Garden, which was named best pub, Lonsdale in Notting Hill, named best bar, and stylish Sketch in the West End which won best design.

Television chef Jamie Oliver, who began his career cooking in his parents' pub, was given a special award for outstanding achievement.

His series Jamie's Kitchen​, which followed him as he trained 15 youngsters to work in his new restaurant Fifteen, was a big hit with audiences but the award, judges said, was not just for the series, or his Cheeky Chops charity, but for "inspiring Londoners to take an interest in food and cooking".

• Time Out has launched a new website to provide Londoners and visitors with up-to-date information about the city's pubs, bars and restaurants.

www.eatdrink.timeout.com is a subscription-only website giving subscribers access to constantly updated reviews from its Pubs & Bars Guide​, the Eating and Drinking Guide​ and Cheap Eats in London​.

Subscribers are also given the chance to send in their own review of a pub, bar or restaurant.