Gastropubs - eating cheap in Britain

Britain's pubs are famous. But they haven't always been particularly pleasant places in which to have a bite to eat. Nor, with the advent of industrial breweries did they offer good beer to drink, until the Campaign for Real Ale in the early 1970s fought to bring back real ales.

Now Britain's chefs are returning well-cooked, seasonal traditional British food to the menus of what have consequently become named Gastropubs. If you're traveling to London and want to stretch that food dollar, here's a list of some to eat at:

The Empress of India, 130 Lauriston Rd E8, 020 8533 5123. A beautiful setting in an equally impressively restored 19th century building, The Empress of India is owned by Tom and Ed Martin, owners of The Gun. Head Chef is Tim Wilson, formerly of the Ivy, who has focused on modern British cuisine with a European touch.
The Gun (same owners as The Empress, above) 27 Coldharbour E14, 020 7515 5222. Sophisticated cooking near the Thames docks, with barbecue on the deck outside in summer.
The Narrow, 44 Narrow St E14, 020 7592 7950. One of two gastropubs owned by Gordon Ramsay, this one serves traditional British grub.
The Devonshire, 126 Devonshire Rd W4, 020 7592 7962. Gordon Ramsay's second gastropub is more of a restaurant than a genuine gastropub. Mark Sargeant, head chef of Gordon Ramsay at Claridge's, is in charge of the nosh.
Fox & Anchor, 115 Charterhouse St EC1 020 7253 5075. There are six room to stay in upstairs, and ham and pork from the exceptional butcher The Ginger Pig in the cooking.  It's very good for a full English breakfast, too. Try the grilled kipper or the Eggs Benedict.
Marquess Tavern, 32 Canonbury St N1, 020 7354 2975. High ceilings, crown-moldings, chandeliers - and roasts, soups and fish dishes.
The Barnsbury, 209 Liverpool Road N1, 020 7607 5519 - great home-baked pies
Duke of Cambridge, 30 St Peter's St N1, 020 7359 3066. Restored Victorian pub, opened in 1998 as the first ethically run, organically certified gastropub
Betjeman Arms, St Pancras Rd NW1, 020 7923 5440, in the new Eurostar terminal for a full English breakfast as well as general pub food.
Prince Albert, 163 Royal College St NW1, 020 7485 0270. Good burgers, macaroni cheese and more downstairs, upstairs David Gill cooks more sophisticated, more pricey seasonal food.
Paradise By Way of Kensal Green, 19 Kilburn Lane W10, 020 8969 0098, serves pub food with an Asian twist in mildly kitsch decor near the splendid cemetery.
William IV, 7 Shepherdess Walk N1, 020 3119 3012. Adventurous sandwiches and bar snacks downstairs, good English fare upstairs.