Roux At Parliament Square

Why? If your style is more hob-nobbing with powers that be than the cast of TOWIE then Roux at Parliament Square is the hip hang out for you. The chirpy chaps behind the bar are more Mancunian than Old Etonian – happy to share their tales of serving John Prescott or Ed Miliband, their encounters with Michael Portillo in the Gents and the ‘one they can’t name’ who repeatedly runs out without paying his tab…You get gossip about things that matter as well as classy cocktails and fine food.

Where? Set in the RICS building, Michel Roux’s restaurant is on the ground floor and the intimate Pembury bar – decorated in politically neutral purple – is upstairs. Nearest Tube: Westminster

What To Eat? Bar food is available all day and includes scotch eggs, platters of pork and pickles, warm chorizo sausages, pie and mash and a selection of sweet bites.

What To Drink? We sampled their Valentine’s special cocktail – named ‘Avec Moi’ by wishful thinking barman Liam, who got down on one knee to serve the drink too! Priced at £15 for a pair of his n hers glasses, this love tonic is a bittersweet mix of vodka, framboise, Aperol and Kammerlings (a ginseng spirit that incorporates fresh grapefruit peels and manuka honey)and it’s strong enough to bring out the inner John Profumo in anyone.

The bar is open from Monday to Friday, but Friday nights are quiet as their clientele ‘tend to head off to their country seats’, we’re informed. ‘MPs used to drink a lot more than they do now,’ barman Abdul informs us ‘they can’t expense so much these days…’

What To Pay? Wine per glass starts at £5 and cocktails are around £8 – excellent value for money given the location

Contact? 11 Great George Street,London Sw1P 3AD.  020 7334 3737. Visit the Roux At Parliament Square website