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Ben Maschler (son of Evening Standard food critic Fay) and Nick Gibson have taken over The Drapers Arms in Islington and improved on what was already a very good gastropub. Bringing years of experience at Soho House and Geronimo Inns, Ben has appointed Karl Goward - previously head chef at St John - as head of the kitchen giving the menu a 'nose-to-tail' bias with mains made using offal and off-cuts. The interior is lighter than previously, making better use of the high ceilings and sense of space as well as the wonderful garden out back. There's a choice between eating in the pub downstairs or upstairs in the more formal (though sparsely decorated) dining room, but everything is prepared from fresh, in-season ingredients. Traditional British fare cooked perfectly and priced reasonably - pub experiences don't get much better than this. The Drapers Arms also benefits from its staff, who are obviously a happy bunch, friendly, efficient and they really know their stuff. The wine list is good, the garden gorgeous and the Bloody Marys marvellous.