Last week, you lay on pure white sand under a palm tree, eating coconuts. This week, you’re up at dawn, queuing at the bus stop and shivering in the rain.

Paradise lost?

Here’s another: The Paradise, a new pub resto from the team behind The Old Queens Head in Islington and Queen Boadicea in Clerkenwell, which opens in Kensal Green today. Gothic meets groovy in an old Victorian brick building — and the food’s just as vibrant.

At the bar, cider, bitter or a lethal Bloody Mary accompanies bar snacks like chicken skewers or shepherd’s pie. At the table, try vermicelli with Cornish crab, pomello and chilli; or potted ham hock with capers and watercress; followed by lobster and chips; with knickerbockerglory or sticky toffee pudding for afters. In addition, the place hosts live music throughout the week.

It’s not a beach bar in the Caribbean, but a welcome haven all the same.

Paradise: found.

The Paradise, 19 Kilburn Lane, W10 4AE (020 8969 0098 or theparadise.co.uk).