tep on down into this subterranean cafe’s carpeted floors, requisite red leatherette chairs and Riverdale underdogs: blue-collar types in lovingly tailored overalls at the long wooden bar, girls in bad-girl boots swaying this way and that.

A been-there-forever kind of space that feels as though it was once a Middle Eastern coke den that was accidentally discovered during renovation of the ground-floor storefront space. On our few afternoon visits we've had the place to ourselves.

In those fat burgundy chairs, behind heavy wooden tables and backed by hideous wallpaper it's a cozy space. A place one could easily kill an afternoon, or the early part of the evening. The shaded patio (seats 35) is perfect for enjoying summer days and nights, while the relaxed dining room (seats 60) is just right for those cooler days. Live jazz Friday & Saturday night and ever-changing art also make this a fun late-night spot.

It's the staff that makes this little den so likable. Our servers have been very amicable on every visit. One waitress even bought us a rose from a roving flower vendor. How cool is that?

The fare includes a variety of appetizers, pastas, sandwiches, salads and entrees. The menu is what you’d expect from a pub-type atmosphere: burgers, Shepherds Pie, Angers and Hash and the like. Basically, it's your typical comfort food. English-style pub features traditional British fare plus some Canadian and Kiwi dishes.