National pride comes easily to this winningly atmospheric restaurant on the fringes of Spitalfields Market. It's not, though, a slave to its patriotic moniker – the wine list borrows heavily from France and there are smatterings of global influence on the food menu, too.
Mostly, though, it's English – or rather British – all the way. Expect, then, dishes ranging from ham hock terrine with homemade piccalilli to oyster fritters with tartare sauce, spiced bean pottage with potato cake, and steak and onion pudding with savoy cabbage and bacon. Monkfish in a saffron sauce with basmati rice is indicative of rare deviation from Blighty's bounty.
High tea is served daily from 3pm untll 6pm, with toast, raisin bread, English muffins or crumpets served with jam, marmalade, Marmite or honey one of the options. Breakfasts include, of course, a full English.