[West London] Decent Gastropub for tonight?

[frogprince]

I'm entertaining an Italian businessman who I've taken to Indian, Chinese Persian and Dim Sum over the last few days. Last night and I thought I'd take him somewhere simple tonight...

I'm looking for a simple restaurant or gastropub in the Hammersmith/Chiswick/Richmond area. Any ideas on the best one that I can get a booking for or turn up early? He eats everything and I am a pescetarian...

Good wine list would be a plus though I don't want a heavy night as we are flying out early in the morning...to be continued on the SF board!

[PhilD]

The Victoria in Sheen - http://www.thevictoria.net/
or The Devonshire in Chiswick - http://www.gordonramsay.com/thedevons...

[therubyslippers]

Oh yes, forgot about The Devonshire - had a couple of nice meals there. Very good on the pie front.

[frogprince]

Plumped for the Princess Vic in the end but they have 2 sittings...

Thanks for all the efforts!

[therubyslippers]

Ah - my local area. I'd head for either of these two:

Princess Victoria is probably the most interesting / new thing around. Went there last night for dinner, but a long wait for a table, so we had bar snacks instead - which were: Potted crab, Stilton, apple and walnut salad, and a huge board of Spanish cured meats with quince paste and manchego. It's been consistently good there - the place is newly renovated. Very noisy tho, not great for a quiet chat.
http://princessvictoriashepherdsbush.blogspot.com/

Then there's The Carpenters Arms on Black Lion Lane, also recently refurbished - similar deal food-wise, a little more expensive, and little more formal.
http://www.londontown.com/LondonInfor...

Then there's the old guard: The Anglesea Arms and The Raven (much more beery). The Dove on the river for something historic - but food is less of a feature there.

Any questions, ask away.

[frogprince]

Thanks, trs; sounds like you've done your research!

A couple of questions;
- do any have a decent wine list?
- are any noted for non-meat ie. fish or vegetarian?

Thanks again!

[therubyslippers]

They both have good wine lists - the Princess Vic more so I'd say. Everything from a £12 bottle to £hundreds.

Hmmm, I wouldn't say either was especially noted for fish / veggie, but there's always been something on the menu to my memory.

If you want something purely fish, there's FishHook and Fishworks - both in Chiswick. Never tried FishHook, but Fishworks is always good, if a more generic experience. Doesn't tick your gastopub box mind you!

I'd probably plump for the Princess Vic on balance. A friend of mine reviewed it here, she's an ex wine journalist too: http://www.timeout.com/london/bars/re...

Be interested to hear where you get to, and what you think.