Adam & Eve

The apple of Mill Hill’s eye, this elegant Edwardian pub features all the hallmarks of a classic gastropub conversion (grey-painted wood panelling, slouchy sofas, Tom Dixon lights) but throws in a Pizza East-style bistro extension and a large rear garden filled with generously proportioned tables. Monday night is curry night, Tuesdays feature 2-4-1 mains, while Fridays are for ‘fish and fizz’. Yet there’s a sense Adam and Eve is trying too hard to be all things to all people. We were offered a lengthy pizza menu, a printed list of specials and a sizeable à la carte with everything from charcuterie platters to slow-roast pork belly with mash and seasonal greens. Better to offer less and cook it better. Sea bass fillet came with yellowing broccoli, and the sad small burger was overdone, though the chips and pizza bread were good. We like the frosty tankards of real ales such as Butcombe Bitter, the friendly wine list and impressive choice of premium spirits – so, it seems, do the stylishly dressed couples frequenting the place. Service on our busy Thursday night visit was embarrassingly chaotic thanks to a lack of staff, though eventually more appeared and things improved.