My office used to be housed in a semi-industrial unit on the site of a former car park, right next to the Harwood Arms. I moved out just before the latest Incarnation, having seen every previous attempt fail I had started to regard the site as cursed. I was wrong.
The pedigree of the team behind it is plain for everyone to see as soon as you walk in. The revamp concentrated on the stripping back the chintz and getting everything to look ‘pub’ again. The cutlery, the tablecloths, the chairs and the napkins are all just right for a country pub in London.
The food is outstanding. I have been back many times and had many great dishes and some outstanding ones. My standout out winner was at christmas last year – Glazed ham hock, roasted parsnips, brussell tops and mustard sauce – it came presented on a small wooden board with a sharp knife. The knife was redundant as the hick was meltingly tender and could barely keep itself attached to the bone.
Other dishes that have made me drool over the last 15 or so months since the rebirth have always seemed too intelligent and more restaurant, but you find me complaining :
A trio of partridge, kiev – leg – rissole – well executed, each element did exactly what it said on the tin
Apple Doughnuts in a Spicy sugar – were better than anything you would find at an artisinal bakery
A fish finger sandwich! – homemade fingers of course, drop of tartare and home made roll
I regularly have meetings in Fulham and always try and find a way to make sure that they are around lunchtime and near Farm Lane. The menu changes, as it should, with the seasons, so you are always presented with a great range of dishes, always inventive and always tasty.