City of Quebec

Just what London needs - another pub claiming to be a slice of Quebec in the heart of the city. The City of Quebec near Marble Arch had me rolling my eyes before I even stepped through the door. Having endured countless "authentic" themed pubs that are about as genuine as my enthusiasm for small talk, I approached with measured skepticism.

Let's address the maple-leaf-shaped elephant in the room: this place has absolutely nothing to do with Quebec, save for the name and perhaps a vague gesture toward hospitality. But here's the thing - and I can't believe I'm saying this - it really doesn't matter. The City of Quebec in London has somehow managed to create something far more valuable than authenticity: genuine character.

I first noticed it in the staff, who display that rare combination of competence and personality that makes you question if you've accidentally wandered into an alternate London dimension. Matilda, who seems to have garnered quite the fan club among regulars, serves drinks with the kind of efficiency that makes you wonder if she's secretly got extra arms hidden somewhere. The security team manages to be both vigilant and approachable - a feat about as rare as finding decent poutine in Central London.

The space itself is a study in successful contradiction. Upstairs offers your standard pub atmosphere, though executed with surprisingly good taste. The underground area, however, is where things get interesting. It's here that the City of Quebec reveals its true colors, hosting everything from cabaret shows to live music events that somehow manage to be both entertaining and mercifully free of the usual London pretension.

The drink selection hits that sweet spot between comprehensive and overwhelming. Yes, you'll pay typical London prices - expect to shed about the same amount of cash as you would at any decent Zone 1 establishment. But at least here, the beverages are served at the correct temperature, in clean glasses, by people who don't act like they're doing you a favor by taking your money.

Perhaps the biggest surprise is the pizza. Now, I'm typically the first to scoff at pub pizza - usually a sad affair that makes frozen supermarket versions look gourmet. But their thin-crust offerings are legitimately good. Not "good for pub food" good, but actually, properly, "I'd-come-here-just-for-this" good. The kitchen has managed to master that elusive crispy-yet-chewy crust that so many places get wrong.

The venue's dog-friendly policy adds another layer of entertainment, as you might find yourself sharing space with everything from impeccably groomed Westminster show dogs to scruffy local mutts who clearly have better social lives than most Londoners. The outdoor seating area, while not exactly the Jardins de Versailles, provides a perfectly serviceable spot for people-watching and pretending you're not avoiding going back to the office.

What truly sets the City of Quebec apart - and I'm gritting my teeth as I admit this - is the atmosphere they've cultivated. It's managed to achieve that holy grail of London pub life: a place where tourists can feel welcome without locals feeling displaced. The space strikes a balance between being busy enough to feel alive but not so packed that you consider becoming a hermit.

Located at the crossroads of Marble Arch, Oxford Street, and Edgware Road, it's annoyingly convenient for after-work drinks, pre-shopping fortification, or that "one last pub" that inevitably turns into three. The payment options are thoroughly modern (yes, they take cards, welcome to the 21st century), and the fact that you can actually reserve a table feels like a luxury in pub-land.

Look, I didn't want to like the City of Quebec in London. I really didn't. But much like that friend who keeps dating someone you initially disapproved of, it's proven me wrong enough times that I've had to reassess my position. If you're in the area and in need of a proper pub with just enough quirk to keep things interesting, you might as well give in and visit. Just don't blame me when you find yourself becoming one of those regulars who knows all the staff by name and has strong opinions about their pizza crust. I'm still maintaining my professional distance, though I might have their number saved in my phone. For research purposes, obviously.