Oddfellows gastro-bar, 60 New North Road

The old Thirsty Camel public house, opposite the Firehouse, was shut down a few months ago for under-age drinking. It was a dire place, wooden floors and not even cheap; a bit of sawdust would've completed the effect. It was like a miniature Butlers at the other end of town. However, along with the old Strikers bar, by Debenhams, this pub has undergone a transformation (a far more superior, upmarket one).

Strikers has been re-invented as the King Billy, a peculiar, hexagonal-shaped little bar at the foot of the vast wall 8 storey wall of Debenhams, named after the nearby multi-storey car park in King William Street. It is like one of those old coins from the 1950s (a florin?): tiny, hexagonal and of little value.

The old Thirsty Camel has been re-invented under its original name, Oddfellows, and is definitely a brand new, crisp Euro note, of a high value. It bills itself as a 'gastro-bar' and you immediately see why.

Upon entry, in what is a century old building, the interior has been completely gutted and refurbished, creating a nice island bar in the middle of what is a long, narrow inside. The bar is dark brown, mahogony in appearance, and just the right height for short people like me. The floors are real wood (perhaps left over from the Camel days), not that dreadful, laminated and shiney mdf stuff that's taken over everything these days, shops, pubs, restaurants, cafes... like an annoying garden weed you just can't get rid of. MDF is the celery-style weed that - no matter how many times you pull it up - you just can't get rid of.

There is a superb selection of lagers, ales and wines, including some from St Austell brewery down in Cornwall. All a bit pricey, of course, at about £2.90 for a pint of San Miguel.

The kitchen is entirely visible at the end of the pub/restaurant, the chef working away, the flavours and smells drifting through the place. Lots of stainless steel kitchen worktops and wares, glinting under the lights.

There is also a 'Victorian' conservatory hidden away at the restaurant end of the place, where table and chairs are laid out for eaters. They have decking in that part, too.

I predict great success for this Exeter city centre place. They have the '2 Million track' on one side, too. A good place. Excellent, polite staff, too.