Casual Dining at The Butcher's Hook

One thing Fulham is certainly not short of is decent pub dining, and Sarah and I are lucky enough to have sampled from quite a lot of it over the past year or so. However, last Friday was the first time I'd tried out The Butcher's Hook, which sits in a prominent position on the Fulham Road near to Stamford Bridge and Fulham Broadway.

Inside, the décor is a blend of contemporary modern and farmhouse chic, retaining a low key but upmarket gastro-pub ambience. There's plenty of atmospheric lighting, exposed brickwork, brass kitchenware displays and sleek varnished oak woodwork. There was a real mix of locals in there, from the old guys catching up over an ale to whole family groups and gaggles of girl friends, which helps it retain a welcoming, local feel.

The emphasis is firmly on casual dining, and whilst you can get all the pub staples like roast chicken, salmon and new potatoes and steak and chips, many of the dishes have an interesting twist and the starter menu in particular is quite inventive. I tried the pig trotter croquettes with tomato chutney and the spicy chick pea and vegetable fritters with tzatziki, and the croquettes in particular were fantastic. They had an intense smokey flavour and plenty of texture, and the sharpness of the chutney set it off perfectly.The boy sampled the steak and chips, which was a perfectly decent reprisal of the classic pub dish, although the meat was a bit more brown than the requested pink. Drinks are the standard fare but with none of the silly gastro-pub pricing you might expect - so again, this place is perfect for a casual mid-week catch up.

The prices are very reasonable, especially for the area, and there is a really warm, friendly yet quietly elegant atmosphere in there. My only slightly criticism would be that perhaps the service was a little too casual. It took the team quite a long time to take our order, and we saw a few wrong dishes going out to the tables neighbouring us. However, there was absolutely no attitude and the staff were quick and keen to rectify any mistakes made. Overall, I'd recommend the Butcher's Hook for it's local yet modern atmosphere, decent pricing and unfussy experience. It's great for a cheap and easy mid-week dinner with friends whilst maintaining much more ambience than many of the other chain options who might compete for spend in the casual dining sector. Definitely worth checking out!

The Butcher's Hook
477 Fulham Road
London SW6 1HL
http://www.thebutchershook.co.uk/

Top 10 Fulham Bucket List for New Fulhamites

With the Summer over and another hoard of graduates gravitating to the big city I have been hearing that more and more people have been making the move to SW6. There is nothing worse than flying the family nest and feeling like a stranger in your own town with no clue where to eat, drink, party, shop and relax. Jess and I have spent hours, if not days, sampling what Fulham has to offer and so have decided to put together a top 10 of must experiences in the borough.

Number 10.
North End Road Market
Jess discovered this earlier this year and has been a frequent visitor since. Most of the market pitches have been in the same families for generations (the market has been running since the 1880s) and the bargains you get are unbelievable. Most of the stalls are for fresh fruit and veg, although the odd home bric-a-bric stall is peppered in and there is also a French cheese monger, a fishmonger and a few fresh juice and falafel carts. It is a wonderful way to while away a Saturday morning.

Number 9.
The Greedy Buddha, Wandsworth Bridge Road
There are a few great restaurants on Wandsworth Bridge Road but this one is my particular favourite. Having been frequently reviewed by heavy weight food critics it has established itself as the best Nepalese in town and is Joanna Lumley's favourite! The variety of curries, dumplings and spiced tikka dishes are all mouthwateringly delicious and the service is excellent.

Number 8.
Mao Tai, New Kings Road
If cocktails are a girls best friend then there is no better friend than Mao Tai. Bar manager Daniel expertly shakes and stirs any creation that you desire. Mao Tai has been a neighbourhood favourite in SW6 for the last 30 years and is a must visit for elegant cocktails and delicious dim sum.

Number 7.
Manuka Yoga, New Kings Road
This luxurious tranquil yoga studio transformed Jess and I from yoga snobs to yoga converts in one class. As well as the intimate and swanky yoga studio there is a stylish shop upstairs. A percentage of profits from everything in the Manuka eco range go to help plant clean bio-fuel producing Jatropha trees in Mozambique too.

Number 6.
Mare Moto, New Kings Road
This increasingly popular establishment has secured a place in the top spot merely for its variety of offerings. Whether it's a decadent mozzarella fuelled Italian dinner, or a night of cocktails and busting your moves on the light up dance floor, Mare Moto has it all.

Number 5.
Bikram Yoga, Parsons Green
This one is not for the faint hearted. This super sweaty yoga studio encourages extensive muscle relaxation and therefore enhanced stretches and poses. They offer an excellent 10 day pass for £15 and have proved extremely popular in SW6. Jess felt like a new woman after a few classes and made some fellow yoga bunny friends along the way! This is a good one to try with a girlfriend on a rainy day.


Number 4.
Blue Elephant, Fulham Broadway
If you are going to go for a Thai in Fulham, this really has to be your first port of call. This long standing much loved restaurant is sadly relocating soon and so there has never been a better time to soak up the rainforest ambiance before it becomes WholeFoods. The quality and presentation of the food is superb and the atmosphere always buzzing.


Number 3.
The Big Easy, Kings Road
The Big Easy is a must visit not only for locals but for everyone. Booking in advance is always necessary, especially at weekends, but well worth it. This American themed surf and turf rib shack has live music, happy hour cocktails and the friendliest staff in London, a good night out is always guaranteed when coming here.


Number 2.
The Jam Tree-Thursday nights
The Jam Tree has struck gold with it's weekly Thursday night free hog roast. Ideally situated between three local nightclubs, it has become the place to be on a Thirsty Thursday. Whether it's dinner, cocktails or a full on night out that you are after this bar will have the best atmosphere in town, guaranteed. It is a must visit before the winter nights draw in.

Number 1.
The Sands End
This pub is so good, we had to write an ode to it (here). Tucked away discreetly in the depths of Sands End you have to know this pub is here, yet it is busy every night of the week come rain or shine. The food is superb and the atmosphere is cosy, informal and fun. Ideal for a date, drinks with friends, family supper, there is never a bad time to visit The Sands End.