We have already enthused about the Albion - Conran's take on an East End cafe (minus the Mitchell brothers), but here are our thoughts on the restaurant it shares a premises with - The Boundary. Handily, it also ties in with current events as it sort of links back to the Ashes... Cricket... boundaries - see? Ah... our talent is wasted here.

The restaurant is synonymous with the rest of the Boundary Project which encompasses the rooftop bar, hotel and aforementioned "caff" and foodie friendly corner shop. You'll find the fine dining restaurant in the basement and you'd be forgiven for thinking that the "caff" had been given the prime real estate when you descend down the stairs to the subterranean dining room, but you'd be wrong. Round the last corner and you are greeted by a glorious space; a sexy little bar and cool bricked dining room which has full view of the large kitchen and well stocked wine cellar.

With a vague mention of the Ashes, here's Freddie celebrating 2005. Excellent.

There is a huge dollop of Gallic influence throughout the menu, although it is to be expected with many of the staff from across La Manche but there are many British classics to keep even the biggest francophobe happy. The food was truly excellent and, for the quality, the cost wasn't outrageous with many of the mains competitive with gastropub prices. There's big love for crustaceans on the starter front with seafood platters and oysters featuring heavily (tip - the "Petit plateau" is massive and excellent value). For mains it's all about the meat with various roasts available throughout the week (we went on a Thursday, rack of pork, crack(l)ing rack) and an interesting offering of less popular cuts with the braised trotter, sweetbreads and morels a wonderful dish.

Push your Boundary, this one is a winner.

http://www.theboundary.co.uk/