Randomness Guide to London Menu

Decent enough Marston's pub right next to East Croydon Station (to find it, head down the right hand (east) side of the station where the taxis are). It's quite large inside, but broken up with screens and railings, so it doesn't feel too cavernous.

On Kake's visit in March 2008, the beers available were Marston Pedigree, Jennings Cumberland, and London Pride (£1.45/half). There was background music playing, but it was inoffensive and not very loud.

Food is served daily until 10pm. I think the menu is a standardised one offered across all Marston's Taverns. Nibble/sharing options include the confusingly-named "Tapas" section of the menu, which features such non-tapas items as southern spiced crunchy chicken tenders (£4) and crispy duck with pancakes, cucumber, spring onions, and hoisin sauce (£4.75 for 1/4 duck, £8.75 for 1/2 duck); the only plausibly tapas-like things are mixed olives with chilli and garlic (£1.50) and pan-fried garlic king prawns (£4.50). "Sharing platters" cost £10-11; the options are Stateside, Oriental, and Mediterranean (which again shows slight culinary confusion in that along with the perfectly understandable mozzarella and tomato ciabatta, chilli/garlic olives, roasted red peppers, hummous, and tzatziki, it also includes salsa and cheddar quesadillas).

English breakfast is £4.25; vegetarian breakfast (which does not include vegetarian sausage) is £4.

Sandwiches/baguettes/melts/wraps are all served with tortilla chips, and all cost between £3.50 (cheddar cheese sandwich with caramelised onion and tomato chutney) and £4.75 (king prawn cocktail wrap; or 5oz rump steak melt/baguette). fishfingers sandwich is £4. Filled jacket potatoes are between £4.50 (cheddar) and £5.25 (king prawn cocktail).

Burgers are £5-7, and options include a vegetarian crispy breaded mushroom burger. Mains are between £5.25 (sausages and mash) and £7.50 (10oz rump steak and chips); there's one vegetarian option, wild mushroom and asparagus risotto (£6).

"Traditional Sunday lunch" is £6, and is served noon-6pm on Sundays (subject to availability).

See also:

• Beer In The Evening comments
• Fancyapint review