http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/bar-pub/144a69/fox-and-hounds Fox & Hounds - London, 66-68 Latchmere Road, SW11 2JU, United Kingdom en http://cdn.trustedplaces.com/i/uploads/placepics/ldc_144a69.140.jpg http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/bar-pub/144a69/fox-and-hounds http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/bar-pub/144a69/fox-and-hounds/175yo8
Review by chrisp

Rating: 2.00
Tags: posh, gastro pub, excellent pub food, young professionals, standard pub food, beer garden, relaxed
Just a brief review to wonder out loud what the hell has happened to this place. Things started going downhill about 1 1/2 to 2 years ago, and my last 4 or 5 visits (yes I go a lot) have been disastrous. Their pan-fried duck breast used to be amazing, cooked pink in the middle and served with the most gorgeous celeriac mash. Last couple of times it's been cut BEFORE cooking (wtf, this isn't a stir-fry) and with an awful thin red wine sauce.

If anyone from the F&H is reading this - and I know they used to - be honest - did you get a new chef? Someone who's heart really isn't in it? Because you really can't go on charging £15 for a main course for what is very substandard food. I never thought I'd say this, but the mediocre Greyhound is actually better these days. Very sad.]]> Mon, 13 Jul 2009 12:19:21 +0000 /review/uk/london/bar-pub/144a69/fox-and-hounds/175yo81975585237 chrisp posh gastro pub excellent pub food young professionals standard pub food beer garden relaxed 51.467114 -0.162706 http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/bar-pub/144a69/fox-and-hounds/1l9a37
Review by chrisp

Rating: 2.00
Tags: posh, gastro pub, excellent pub food, young professionals, standard pub food, beer garden, relaxed
I have been attempting a (brief) self-imposed hiatus from restaurant-going, partly because there really is only so much fois gras any person should healthily ingest in the space of a year, but also (mainly, if I'm going to be honest) because my bank balance is seeing even less of the black every month than it was used to. At one time I had a good week or so of a positive balance after pay day, but as the frequency of my dining out has increased, the time I enjoy when I actually had money rather than owed it has reduced to such an extent that it now comes in painfully short gasps, like a deep-sea freediver surfacing for a sharp intake of breath before submerging again.

Having said that, a trip to my local gastropub the Fox and Hounds for a bite to eat of a Friday evening hardly constitutes unreasonable decadence, I don't think. In fact, with the blog nearly 3 months old and still not a mention of the finest, handsomest and most stunningly well-priced establishment in SW11, it would have been criminal to let this situation continue any longer. A word of warning however - what follows is going to be the least impartial review the blogosphere has ever seen. A part of me knows it isn't perfect - nowhere is - but in deference to the joy the food at the Fox and Hounds has brought me over the years I have lived in this particular corner of South West London, I feel I owe it to the place.

We always seem to arrive at the F&H a good ten minutes before the menus are written. It is, of course, testament to the quality of the ingredients here that the menu changes (sometimes completely) on a daily basis and you're never really sure what you might find from one visit to the next. This is of course a Good Thing, but can be heartbreaking to rave to a friend about a particular duck breast and sweet potato dish and then to never ever see it again. The rib-eye steak seems a regular feature, and there is usually some herb-baked fresh fish (invariably excellent) and risotto for the vegetarians, but on the whole the flexibility of the kitchen staff seems to put many more high-end institutions to shame.

Meals here always start with some lovely warm bread (possibly baked in house, I did ask once but I've forgotten what the answer was) with olive oil and salt & pepper to dip in. The food is ordered at the bar, which in many pubs means a long and smoky wait elbow to elbow with fellow patrons, but for some reason I've never had to wait for any time at all at the F&H, ever, in the 3 years I've been visiting. They are also always similarly efficient in delivering the food to the table - they just seem to know what they're doing.

As per my usual visits here, I didn't order a starter. The generous portions generally mean you never leave hungry, and the very informal system at the bar means you never feel intimidated into ordering a full 3-course experience when all you really want is a quick, hearty meal. My "Pan Roast Chicken Breast with black pepper and rosemary, sauteed new potatoes with spinach, chilli and garlic" was - of course - delicious, with a light crispy skin and tasty, moist flesh. One thing you notice about the main dishes at the F&H is that they are almost always served with a huge clump of rocket salad, which is refreshingly unpretentious or a bit dull, depending on which side of the fence you're on. I lean towards the former.

Another (very handy considering my current circumstances) benefit of the ordering system is that with service included in all the prices on the menu you never end up paying more "hidden" charges for service, meaning that your £12.50 main course really is exactly that when you settle the bill. Nothing on the menu is more than £15, and it's all up to the same high standard; so not only is the food healthy, fresh, unpretentious and delicious, it's also pretty cheap. In the winter there's a log fire in the annex and in the summer there's a very pretty beer garden out the back, decorated with rosemary bushes and tea lights. What more could you want from any pub?

Right then, I do apologise - I'm off my soapbox now and I can get back to being impartial. But please do visit the Fox & Hounds. I know I'm biased and it is my local, but you really won't be disappointed.]]> Wed, 13 Aug 2008 14:23:13 +0000 /review/uk/london/bar-pub/144a69/fox-and-hounds/1l9a37405143622 chrisp posh gastro pub excellent pub food young professionals standard pub food beer garden relaxed 51.467114 -0.162706 http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/bar-pub/144a69/fox-and-hounds/1s76n7
Review by tessie08

Rating: 5.00
Tags:
Being a regular at The Atlas in Fulham my husband and I were desperate to find a similar style pub after we moved to Battersea. We were delighted to find out that the Fox and Hounds in Latchmere Road was owned by the same owners who own the Atlas!
This fantastic little gastropub has a host of regulars - all of whom are friendly and welcoming. The Brazilian front of house staff and extremely enthusiastic and friendly - while in the kitchen the Mongolians can be seen cooking up a storm!
I ahd the most amazing grilled tuna steak and sauteed new potatoes with spinach, garlic and salsa fresca but my husband's pan roast duck breast with sweet potato and leek gratin with sage, cream and red onion marmalade was sublime!
The Fox and Hounds will most definately become our new local!
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Review by phil1

Rating: 4.00
Tags:
I have taken many friends to this pub the food is fantastic but the noise puts off most of my friends from ever returning shame]]> Wed, 12 Sep 2007 19:14:32 +0000 /review/uk/london/bar-pub/144a69/fox-and-hounds/1i44q72141294277 phil1 51.467114 -0.162706 http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/bar-pub/144a69/fox-and-hounds/113388
Review by Jossick

Rating: 5.00
Tags: relaxed, bitter, gastro pub, excellent pub food, beer garden, traditional pub, independent pub, gastropub, food
One of the best 'proper' pubs in Battersea. Decent bitter on tap, plus the usual range of lagers, and a pretty decent wine list. Good buzzy atmosphere without usually getting so busy you can't relax (oh and a small beer garden out the back). The food is exceptional - some of the best gastropub food I've ever had. It's not cheap (cheapest pasta mains are about £8, most main courses are £12-14), but the food really is worth it. All in all you can't go too wrong here!]]> Mon, 11 Jun 2007 17:33:00 +0000 /review/uk/london/bar-pub/144a69/fox-and-hounds/11338838896824 Jossick relaxed bitter gastro pub excellent pub food beer garden traditional pub independent pub gastropub food 51.467114 -0.162706