A charming pub tucked away in the historic back streets east of Waterloo station, the Kings Arms is seriously popular with office workers on a Friday evening. The cream brick walls of the rooms and bars are lined with black and white photographs, vintage kitchenware, antique mirrors and tankards, conjuring up a bygone era. At 6.30pm, it is pretty much standing room only and tables in the dining area are hard to come by. But you might secure a stool next to one of the high benches. If you can find a place to perch, the Thai chicken green curry, served in a bowl with a pile of steamed rice and a token salad, is full of flavour. It costs just £8, so the portion isn't massive and you might be tempted to buy another one. The respectable pad Thai noodles, on the other hand, are substantial. The service by the Asian waitresses can be random and haphazard - you might get the wrong bill, which isn't that surprising, given the shoulder-to-shoulder eating arrangements. There are some unusual real ales, such as Rev James, Partridge and Amber, on tap, as well as bog standard lagers, such as Amstel and Fosters. 8/10
