The Ginger Pig is a self-styled 'food pub' from Ben and Pamela McKellar, proprietors of the Brighton-based Gingerman Restaurant Group. It is the pair's third venture and joins the original Gingerman at Norfolk Square, founded in 1998, and The Gingerman at Drakes hotel, which was established in 2004.

Chef Ben McKellar, who has previously worked at l'Ortolan under John Burton Race and at One Paston Place in Brighton, has brought bold flavours and seasonal ingredients to the modern European menu.

Dishes include smoked duck, hazelnut and pear salad with sorrel; steak tartare with red endive salad and sourdough toast; and spinach and egg ravioli with sage butter and Sussex Parmesan. Local Sussex and Kent cheeses are also available.

Situated in a former hotel (its 10 rooms are set to open at a later date), the 60-cover dining room is a simple affair. Bold flower arrangements and funky lighting sit against a classic design of dark brown leather, cream walls, and wooden shutters.

Good food is served at good value. Expect to spend about £25 a head for a meal and between £12 and £30 for a bottle of wine.

3 Hove Street, Hove, BN3 2TR. 01273 736123, gingermanrestaurants.com



The Old Mill



Peach Pub Co's seventh gastropub is set in a striking Victorian building, serving up its signature deli boards and duck spring rolls.

London Road, Berkhamsted, HP4 2NB. 01442 879590, theoldmillberkhamsted.co.uk



The Albion Public House and Garden



This English country pub in Islington is Richard Turner's first independent venture. The menu is hearty with spit-roast cuts of meat.

10 Thornhill Road, London N1. 020 7607 7450, the-albion.co.uk



The Horse & Groom Inn



An old-style dining room gives this inn a warm feel - matched by pub-grub style food. Dishes include roasted pork cutlet with sage mash and vanilla panacotta.

Nr Malmesbury, Wiltshire, SN16 9DL. 01666 823904

horseandgroominn.com