As honorary Mouse whilst the 3BM's sun themselves in sunny Sri Lanka, I thought I'd take the opportunity to share my favourite locals that are on my West London doorstep.
With a cosy pub front room, complete with velvet curtains, roaring fire and the odd piece of taxidermy - the Anglesea is the perfect pub pit-stop on a weekend afternoon or evening after work. Serving specialists Ales and a carefully selected wine list- there is definitely something to whet your whistle! Out the back is a exposed brick restaurant with large blackboards featuring the hand written menu, here there is plenty of light pouring in through the natural skylight, this is for a slightly more formal (but still super cosy) dining experience.
The atmosphere is great throughout but it is all about the food and the same mouthwatering menu is served in the pub front room and the restaurant, so you really just need to find your favourite seat.
Anglesea staples include a pint of prawns with rose marie sauce, oysters and a seasonal choice of Neal's Yard Cheeses (the three choices of food that had me at Hello!) but the wider menu varies daily with unusual but sturdy British dishes that will have you salivating.
Starters or lighter mains include home-made soup of the day (always delicious, Pumpkin and Rosemary today), unusual salads (Blood Orange, Feta, Alf Alfa Sprout and Hazelnut Bitterleaf salad) but on this occasion we opted for the Foie Gras Terrine, Onion Marmalade and Brioche.... it melted in our mouths.
Mains feature fish and then go heavy on meat and game - with partridge, rabbit and venison regular choices. Our Bream Fillet with Pink Fir Apple Potatoes, Fennel and Cauliflower Puree was perfect and the spoiling, winter combination of Lamb Loin and Shepherd's Pie (yes together in one dish!) was spot on for a cold February evening.
Puddings include cheese and the homemade ice-cream selection with unusual flavours such as red wine ... it's really actually very good.
Nearest tube: Ravenscourt Park (7 min walk)
From the founders of now closed down North London gem, The Engineer, The Hampshire Hog opened in Hammersmith in Autumn 2011. Pitched as 'pub and pantry' the Hog (as it's affectionately known) combines the two effortlessly and with the big light windows, white washed finishing, wooden floors and country style floral displays scattered around - it certainly feels more pantry than pub, and is the perfect choice for your Saturday brunch.
We popped in for dinner last week and were spoilt for choice with the apertif's menu - Hot Buttered Rum or Guinness or a Sipsmith Negroni - opting for the local Gin mix we weren't disappointed. We also loved our starter of Arbroath smokie and Cheese Souffle, Tomato Chutney and Balsamic, followed by Pan-fried Seabass, Bubble + Squeak and Sauce Vierge. We were also tempted by the delicious sounding Herb Gnocchi, Roasted Winter Veg, Berkswell and Pine Nuts and the sharing boards of harcuterie and vegetables..... we will have to head back soon to satisfy our curiosity.
Nearest tube: Ravenscourt Park (4 min walk) or Hammersmith (8 min walk)
Looking for that elusive perfect Sunday Roast? Then look no further, The Princess Victoria has got Sundays covered. With one of the best Bloody Mary mixes we've tasted (spicy with plenty of horseradish), a stack of Sunday papers, a yummy Scotch egg to share for starters and a pink, tender Roast Beef with lots of delicious trimmings (cauliflower cheese, greens and the crispiest roasties) means we come back again and again.
Elegant decor in slate grey set off against the high-ceilings with the tables in bar seated around the central horse-shoe shaped bar. There is a bigger 'restaurant' room adjacent to the bar area, with tables of all shapes and sizes but it is the fantastic huge diner in the middle that seats around 20 that has caught our eye for good ol' get together.
Nearest tube: Shepherd's Bush (15-20 min walk) - or much easier hop on the bus down Uxbridge Road
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