Bistrode CBD

With its smart whitewashed walls, shiny wooden floor and dark unclothed tables, this first-floor pub dining room looks like it means business. Indeed, much business is done here at lunchtime when the suits descend to feast on Jeremy Strode's blokey Brit fare - fish and chips, grilled steaks and an offally cheeky dish titled lamb's 'hearts and minds'. At night, after-hours office groups, gaggles of high-heeled girls and date couples take over. Hervey Bay scallops with parsley butter and breadcrumbs is a fresh, simple starter, but crisp salt cod croquettes seem more suited to the bustling bar downstairs. A kurobuta pork chop is cleverly teamed with black pudding and black cabbage, while a firmly grilled salmon cutlet was outshone by a killer eggplant curry. A dessert of raspberry, ricotta and meringue was too dry to be luscious; better, the honey tart with peanut butter ice-cream. Strode is a talented chef and continues to keep the CBD very happy indeed.