The Earl Spencer

It was only after three visits that someone told me what had happened! Living locally, it was my preferred place for years - but the change of hands has resulted in indifferent service and very poor cooking. Flacid pale chips. rubbery food, poor wines. The menu looks similar, but this place is not a shadow of its former self. Very, very disappointing.

The Earl Spencer is a real find, and one of the few credible reasons to venture down Southfields way. The food is simple, but a testament to the virtues of first-class ingredients cooked by people who know what they're about. For my visit, I had the atlantic prawns (I'm a sucker for seafood) followed by the pigs cheeks (likewise, unusual cuts of meat).The former were excellent, juicy,succulent and well-prepared, and went splendidly with a pint of real ale. The latter was a revelation. The pork was full of piggy flavour, and the accompanying sprouts left me mystified why these vegetables attract such derision and venom; they were delightfully fresh and juicy as well. Top place, attentive and charming staff, well-kept beer, and all in all I floated home on a cloud of wellbeing and conviviality. Well worth the trip.

The Earl Spencer is a real gem of a pub. A great selection of wines and the food is excellent – definitely not your classic pub fare. A great menu of tasty, hearty food with home made bread and delicious puds. I shared the chicken terrine – there was plenty for the two of us. Followed by a generous portion of tender roast duck breast on creamed swede mash with cabbage and red wine sauce. Already full, but unable to refuse pudding, I settled on the panna cotta with rhubarb – a perfect ending. I get the feeling that there are plenty of regulars but the staff were very friendly to us newcomers and we will definitely be making this our local.