Ivy

This review appears in the The List's Eating & Drinking Guide 2008 – in the shops now or buy online.

A hundred yards from the magnificent Mitchell Library, fringed with outdoor tables (albeit with views of the M8) and a bright green sign, Ivy has been a popular local hangout since opening in 2006. Offering DJs at the weekend, a great selection of beers and more than 70 types of rum, it's understandable why it's sometimes seen as more bar than restaurant, but the small, informed menu goes a good way towards dispelling this myth. A cosy wooden booth by the open fire is the perfect spot for tucking into the venison pie with mash and winter vegetables – the rich, gamey and tender meat complementing the creamy, substantial mash. Bar favourites such as burger and fries are given a home-made touch, the burger made from good quality, well-seasoned ground beef, topped with a tomato and rocket salad and served with old-fashioned, thick-cut chips. The ever-changing menu, featuring dishes such as a tangy Thai chicken and coconut broth, also indicates diversity in the kitchen's talents. The dessert list is small but full of popular choices such as sticky toffee puddings – though by this point, you may be more interested in the rum.

• High point: A good mix of cosy bistro and swinging bar
• Low point: Maybe too much of a bar for some