The Gun is an excellent Gastropub. I have eaten here three times over the past 5 months and have had an excellent meal every time. Long gone are the days when flags of St George were pinned everywhere and sawdust was spread on the floor (I may be exaggerating about that last bit!). It used to be a dodgy pub, but now is one of the top gastropubs in London, following a fire in late 2004.

The Gun does have an interesting history, as well as being a grade ll listed building, as it’s claimed that Lord Nelson used to visit and have romantic assignations with Lady Emma Hamilton. The decor very much reflects the fact that the pub was located in the same area as the iron foundries used to make cannon for the Naval fleets, with pictures showing battles at sea and seaman loading cannon. Heavy white linen and dark wooden tables and chairs add an air of sophistication to the mix.

The visit was made at lunchtime and it was just as well I had booked a table. By 12.45 the dining area was rammed, which was a good indicator of it’s popularity, on a Tuesday lunchtime.  Due to the fact I needed to go back to work, we skipped the starters and went straight for the main course. I chose the special of Daube of Beef with wild mushroom and truffle mash with red wine jus, whilst my Sister selected the Slow Roasted Shoulder of Lamb with white bean cassoulet and rosemary jus. We also added a side of Savoy Cabbage with pancetta lardons.

Not having even heard of a Daube before, I was glad when I was served three very succulent pieces of meat, rather than a mere smear of beef (a Daube is the french version of a casserole, where the meat is cooked slowly for a long period of time). The dish was superb with the meat disintegrating in the mouth and the truffle mash was divine. My Sister’s Lamb was also very tasty and tender, with the cabbage & pancetta having lovely salty, meaty flavours, as it should.

The service was efficient and unobtrusive and the bill not too bad at £20 a head including 12.5% tip.

I would absolutely recommend a visit, even if it is a little off the beaten track, including if you work in Docklands.

More info can be found at www.thegundocklands.com.