London pub for visitors?

[Pangolin]

Here's one to start a discussion: I was asked to suggest a central London pub that a contact could take a group of visiting foreign customers to, giving a good impression of a "traditional english pub". This would seem to rule out 'Spoons, anything modern, and anything that has gone gastro. My initial thought was the Princess Louise, but it transpired that they also wanted somewhere that does food.

So any clever ideas?

[Strongers]

How about the Ship and Shovell.

http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/55874/

[Pangolin]

Hmm, had vaguely thought of that, but usually seem to end off in the small side as the other side is crowded. Didn't realise the food offering so well worth a thought.

[Strongers]

It fine during the day, but after 4... Forget it!

I suppose it depends whether they are going for lunch or dinner.

[Pangolin]

Answering my own question - just stumbled upon this splendid crawl which might help - thanks BobOs.

http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/crawl/vi....php?crawl=881

Any more ideas??

[Rex_Rattus]

For some splendour and decent beer (it's a Nicholson) you could do worse than the Coal Hole in The Strand. Food as well of course. Or for one of the oldest pubs around (it dates from 1667) you could give Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese, in Fleet St, a punt. It's another Sam Smith's so the beer choice won't be good, but I'm not sure whether that's important to the people concerned.

[Quinno]

Or Fullers have:

The Old Bank Of England

Not cheap but ticks a lot of boxes.

[Pangolin]

Might disqualify "invented" pubs, although they probably wouldn't know the difference! Has anyone noticed this is producing an interesting crawl down the Strand/Fleet Street? Perhaps throw in the Black Friar too.

[trainman]

Has anyone noticed this is producing an interesting crawl down the Strand/Fleet Street?

Hehe, the Edgar Wallace does food at lunch too, though may be hard pushed to genuinely tick the 'traditional' box. Lots of ale though...
Double up with the George, for at least the feel of yesteryear...

[Maldenman]

The Prospect of Whitby or the Town of Ramsgate on the river in Wapping should certainly tick the boxes required by most tourists and they do food as well.