Finally, something new on Old Compton Street. As much as we love Balans, Café Espana and the pink palace - frankly, none of them are really that good. (Sorry Balans! You're great, but at 5 am!)

Boulevard aims to bring a bit of brass and class to the hip strip. The third venture from Ian Shaw (of Boulevard Brasserie and Deli in Covent Garden), the interior's chilled out (we love the stainless steel bar, so Covent Garden Hotel), the cocktails are first-rate (hard to find on OCS) and the bar snacks look tasty.

Probably the most interesting thing here though is head chef Nigel Trebble's (of Soho House) diverse seasonal menu, which seems to be suitably hearty right now. And they serve lobster and chips, which can never be a bad thing.

The meat selection is interesting (calf's liver, black loop belly pork and black faced lamb), but using rare breeds is something he prides himself on, so guess this is to be expected and a rather nice change from the usual beef and chicken.

And as it's Soho, and there are always people up for a party, the restaurant has a built-in DJ booth, where resident DJs will spin the night away.