London Restaurants | London Guide

The Havelock Tavern Wins Good Pub Guide Award

The Havelock Tavern has just won West London’s Best Pub award from the Good Pub Guide 2011.

Opened in 1996 by Jonny Haughton and Pete Richnell, The Havelock Tavern even has its own cookbook published entitled “Cooking without Fuss,” encouraging people into the kitchen with simple mouth watering recipes. A special foreword written by highly respected chef Simon Hopkinson stated “Some of Johnny’s food I have eaten has been as good as that which I have eaten anywhere. Ever.” 

The Havelock’s focus on good honest cooking and a warm friendly inviting atmosphere has stayed true to its roots and has not changed since its initial opening – including a regular terrine that has featured for the past fifteen years. 

The Havelock Tavern is based in the heart of up and coming Brook Green, Shepherds Bush. Their ethos focuses on excellent yet informal customer service together with a classic approach to the traditional principles of what a pub should be. 

The venue can cater for up to 80 diners with an additional 48 guests thanks to their outdoor seating – particularly cosy in the winter as guests can benefit from outdoor heating. 

Head Chef James Howarth delivers a regularly changing menu (twice daily) at the Havelock Tavern that has a British feel with some strong international influences. 

Everything is made on site using only the freshest ingredients from the unctuous aioli to the incredibly fresh char grilled sardines. 

Starters feature delicate Steamed Mussels with Melted Onion, Bacon, Cider, Thyme and Crème Fraiche or a hearty Roast Butternut Squash, Cumin and Coriander Soup. 

Mains don’t disappoint either at the Havelock Tavern with fresh Line Caught Wild Sea Bass Fillet with Ratte Potatoes, Sprouting Brocolli, Cherry Tomatoes and Beurre Blanc or Roast Duck Breast with Egg Noodles, Bok Choi, Mangetout, Chilli, Ginger and Home made Plum Sauce. 

To finish why not indulge in their Chocolate Nemesis or Pistachio, Olive Oil and Lemon Cake served with Orange Ice Cream. 

There is an extremely well balanced and priced wine list that is also eclectic in its variety. The selection stretches across Europe and the New World featuring 19 reds and 17 whites with the majority of the bottles available coming in at under £30. 

The Havelock Tavern also offers a broad range of 18 wines by the glass including Gavi, direct from the Piemonte region. They will shortly be introducing a monthly wine special as well as a hand picked staff selection. The regular changing ale selection benefits from suppliers such as Sambrooks brewery, based in Wandsworth while Adnams also features on The Havelock’s list with Ghostship and pale ale Adnams Broadside currently on the autumn menu.

The Havelock Tavern
57 Masbro Rd
London
W14 0LS
www.thehavelocktavern.co.uk/about.htm

Christmas Party Idea - The Well in Clerkenwell

Popping up this December only and providing the perfect Christmas party solution in a stylish Swedish ski lodge at Tom and Ed Martin's acclaimed gastropub, The Well in Clerkenwell.

Go underground at The Well and you’ll discover a magical wonderland of fake furs, glittery reindeers, a giant gingerbread house and party poppers pinging off Christmas fir trees. Swedish winter hostesses will be on hand to serve you ice cold glasses of vodka and snowflakes will be falling as you celebrate the Scandi way to the sound of Swedish classics, Abba, Ace of base, Roxette.

Decked out chalet style with vintage skis, moose antlers and wooden logs, you’ll also be eating and drinking Scandinavian. Arm yourself with a glass of Aquavit, a local schnapps and tuck into a traditional smörgåsbord of Swedish canapés including smoked reindeer and baby pickles; elk fillet tartare on rye; Swedish meatball brochettes with tomato fondue; soused herrings, mustard and dill; citrus gravid lax with pickled cucumber and rye bread; crayfish and dill polar bread cones; soft boiled quail egg with herring roe; and onion, herb and potato cream tarts with keta caviar.

It’s the season of giving and eating so talented pastry chef Boyne Kleynhans has handcrafted a traditional giant gingerbread house which will be on display throughout December and it’s up for grabs. Simply buy a raffle ticket to be in the chance to win it. All proceeds will be donated to StreetSmart, a charity which works with restaurants to raise money for homeless people across the UK. The lucky winner will be notified on 23rd December, just in time to make it the best Christmas present for someone, ever.

The Well Swedish Ski Lodge can host parties of up to 70 people. Better yet, there is no hire charge. Private hire only. Minimum spends will apply. Canapés cost from £12 per person for six.
Get there before it’s gone!
The Well, 180 St John Street, Clerkenwell,London, EC1V 4JY
T: 020 7251 9363
www.downthewell.com
www.twitter.com/thewellpub

New Chef at The Thatched House in Hammersmith

With a new chef, new management and a new look, The Thatched House takes you back to the way things used to be. A place where you’re greeted like a local, where proper pub fare is chalked up on blackboards and real ales are supped from frosted glasses. Where you can pop in for a pint and stay all night. A slice of country life in the big city with roaring log fires in winter and a secret garden for sizzling BBQ’s in the summer.

New chef Jimi (James Gill) sharpened his culinary skills under the acclaimed Thierry Laborde at The Kitchen in Parsons Green and opened The White Horse on behalf of general manager Ossie Gray, of River Café fame. He knows his food. Lunch is a casual romp through the country’s best ingredients with affordable, tasty dishes – sourced from Britain wherever possible. Pull a stool up to the bar, and spread a flavoursome wild boar, venison and rabbit terrine on to thick cut toast or sink your teeth into a marinated steak sandwich with fat chips.

The house special is the pub’s mussels and chips – enjoy a steaming pot with a choice of broths, from shallot, garlic and wheat beer to traditional white wine and butter. Dinner is full of hearty seasonal fare; try deep fried pig’s cheeks with tomato and chilli jam to start, order spatch-cocked quail wrapped in vine leaves with autumn vegetables; confit duck leg with dauphinoise potatoes, green beans and star anise jus; or a roast whole sea bass provencale with a warm potato salad for main course. Desserts are a return to old favourites and homely apple crumble and Sticky Toffee Pudding.

Young’s first ever pub, The Thatched House is a true Brit - its recent transformation is a return to its roots. A grand Victorian corner building, inside it is quintessentially British. A large wooden bar is at its heart, surrounded by comfy green Chesterfield sofas, an open fireplace, mismatched wooden tables and chairs, and sunlight streaming in through the stained glass windows. Decked out with period style wallpaper, old fashioned station clocks, faded photographs of London underground, antique lamps and leather bound books lined up in bookcases, it has the familiar feel of an old-school London pub. For more intimate eating, the conservatory tucked at the back is perfect for a table for two or for large groups to privately hire. It leads out onto the hidden garden, a suntrap so great for al fresco eating, you’ll never want to leave.   

South London Post Fireworks Display Eating Options

Looking for somewhere to go after London's finest fireworks on Clapham Common on 5th November?

If so, why not escape the cold and enjoy fantastic bonfire night barbecues and a mini street food festival at popular pubs, The Avalon, Abbeville and Stonhouse, all just a short walk away?

The Abbeville

For an enchanting evening away from the crowds, head to The Abbeville for a Guy Fawkes street food festival where they will be serving stews in innovative homemade bread bowls such as beef, chorizo and red bean or Moroccan lamb (£5 each).

Simply eat, dip and indulge in one handy dish. Wash it down with a mug of delicious hot apple cider (£2.50). 

The Avalon

After the plethora of pyrotechnics, “remember remember” to grab your friends and head to The Avalon to indulge in a delicious hog roast or the very best steak sandwich served with caramelised onions, (£5 each) straight from the charcoal grill.

Alternatively, huddle up under the heaters and enjoy one of our traditional hot toddys made with whisky, honey, lemon, cinnamon and cloves.  At just £3.95 and practically medicinal, it would be rude not to. 

The Stonhouse

Alternatively, head to local gem The Stonhouse, and enjoy a cosy winter barbecue in their secluded garden. Feast on homemade beef burgers and classic hot dogs, as you warm your cockles with mulled wine and seasonal hot cider. 

The Abbeville, 69 Abbeville Road, London SW4 9JW
Tel: 020 8675 2201
www.theabbeville.co.uk 

The Avalon, 16 Balham Hill, London SW12 9EB
Tel: 020 8675 8613
www.theavalonlondon.co.uk 

The Stonhouse, 165 Stonhouse Street, London SW4 6BJ
Tel: 020 7819 9312  
www.thestonhouse.co.uk

 

British Food at The Old Red Lion in Kennington

Antic are proud to announce the opening of the Kitchen and Dining room atthe Old Red Lion Kennington. Serving traditional British food with a twist,great dining promises to become a major part of the Old Red Lions offeringwhich already boasts great service, a beautiful interior and a well stockedbar. The building is Grade Two listed with the dining area situated in thesecond half of a pub split in two by a beautiful traditional circular bar.

The Chef Oral has already designed the Menu but will beintroducing  delicious new specials on a daily basis and all prices are very reasonable, making the pub ideal for an after work dinner or weekend treat.

To book a table call the pub direct on 020 773 4312

Half off at The Chesterfield - Gastro pub in Notting Hill

This winter sees the arrival of a stylish new pub and restaurant in Notting Hill and to celebrate they will be offering an incredible 50% off food from 25th October to 7th November.   Opening a stone’s throw from fashionable Westbourne Grove, the Chesterfield will offer a comfortable bar and a dining area serving excellent Pan-Asian cuisine in a contemporary and airy setting that still retains the traditional feel of a classic English pub. 

Brought to London by leading dining operators, First Restaurant Group, The Chesterfield will share the same building as the famous Assaggi restaurant, a favourite with London diners for over 13 years.  The Chesterfield will have a light and spacious feel whilst remaining a warm and cosy pub, making it the perfect spot for a relaxing meal after work, or a leisurely weekend lunch.

Wooden flooring, claret coloured leather armchairs and a long mahogany bar will be just some of the design features. The walls will be lined with wallpaper printed to represent plush upholstery, an example of the combination of both classic and contemporary in the venue’s design.  

There will also be an outdoor terrace at the rear of The Chesterfield, offering tables for diners and which will be heated throughout the year, offering a quiet and intimate spot for guests.  

The cuisine at The Chesterfield will also not go strictly down the traditional route with a delicious Pan-Asian menu, designed by acclaimed chef Ricky Pang.  There will however, be some interesting fusion-style dishes which do hark back to typical pub fare, with mains such as Chargrilled Lamb Rump with Roasted Potatoes and Wasabi Jus and Trilogy of Mini Waygu Burger with Yakiniku, Teriyaki and Chilli Jam.

For the most part however, the menu will offer Oriental delights and starters will include; Imperial Shrimp and Mango Rolls, Chilli Chicken and Waterchestnut Gyoza, and Salt and Pepper Squid. Choose from a selection of mains such as; Pi Pa Duck and Flower Buns, Aged Beef Striploin with Chives Mash and Honey Teriyaki and Baked Black Cod with Pickled Kyurizuke and Shiro Miso.  

Round off the perfect meal with some truly indulgent desserts including; Honey Lime Posset with Assorted Berries and Pistachio and Vanilla Crème Brûlée. 

The bar will offer a relaxed and stylish area to enjoy one of the great wines or cocktails available and also gourmet snacks from the bar menu. There will be an extensive cocktail list, offering everything from the classic Bellini to those with a modern twist such as the Rhubarb and Lemon Verbena Martini, a refreshing blend of Millers Gin with Homemade Rhubarb and Lemon Verbena Compote.  

Wines have been sourced from the all over the globe, offering a huge range of choice at reasonable prices. 

So head down to The Chesterfield for this great offer between 26th October and 7th November. 

The Chesterfield
39 Chepstow Place
London
W2 4TS
Tel: O207 229 0323
Website: www.thechesterfield.co
Opening Hours: 11am-midnight, seven days a week