Lass O'Richmond Hill

Just before Christmas, a friend and I had popped into this pub for a bite to eat and a glass of wine one Friday while we contemplated what to do with our evening. We were amazed at how lovely it was – it’s tardis-like in that the interior is huge with a vast raised dining area, stone floors covered in lots of sofas and benches, brick walls behind numerous copper topped tables and low chairs nestled by open fires and spacious wooden tables around which you can get a whole family – high chairs included. There were more than a few groups with babies around us who were mostly squeak-free.

The Christmas decorations were subtle, tasteful and not over the top – green garlands with rich Autumn-coloured baubles and the aroma from a pot of hot mulled wine permeated the place. It was warm and welcoming and rather restful. Whilst it was fairly busy, we were delighted to find a table right by a fire and we tucked into some bar snacks despite the reasonable looking full menu. They lit our oil lamp and placed a few more logs on the fire. Fabulous!

There were Richmond river view paintings on the wall and the modern music was playing so that you could hear it but not so loud that it was a distraction. All in all we were rather pleased with our discovery and settled in.

The staff were super-friendly and the locals were rather pleasant too – we struck up a conversation with the owners of a fine long-legged Border Terrier called Haggis who recommended a number of other local dog-friendly establishments – including the Coach and Horses at Kew Green, the Kitchen and Pantry in Chiswick and one of our favourites - The White Horse in Richmond. Haggis’ Scottish mum explained that pubs in Scotland don’t allow dogs at all – can you imagine? Later on we spied a perky little Bijon Frise enjoying sneaky crisps from his or her owner.

There are large covered (and heated) areas outside at the back and the front for the smokers (bet these are nice in the summer months) and there is a substantial car park at the rear also. As well as the Youngs beers, there appeared to be a good selection of cask ales and on the wine front both the Malbec and Merlots were extremely good. You couldn’t really ask for any more.

Anyway, yesterday we decided to take Alfie to check it out. So we three girls tipped up for a rather late lunch and were delighted to learn that they serve roast dinners on a Sunday until 10pm. My companions tucked into roast beef – one rare and one medium, with al dente vegetables and an extra large side portion of Yorkshire puddings as a result of our earlier exclamations on how much we like them. My fish and chips (I’d had enough roasts over the holidays) was excellent – the batter was light and crispy and the fish firm and fleshy. The chips, I suspect, were twice or thrice cooked – naughtily crisp and fat. The pot of minty mushy peas and tartare sauce were welcome.

Thus fortified, we walked for less than five minutes – past the Star and Garter home – to the Richmond Hill gate of Richmond Park. We took a left and spent a good while wandering around – sharing the path with cyclists, runners and other dog walkers, in the mild winter evening watching the sun settle over the horizon.

This is really a marvellous pub with something for everyone – and a clientele of all ages and types. And jolly good food. And Alfie my Chihuahua is keen that we should go again soon – especially if we combine it with another walk around the park. I suspect we will become regulars.

Monday	Open 11:00 - Closes 23:00
Tuesday	Open 11:00 - Closes 23:00
Wednesday	Open 11:00 - Closes 23:00
Thursday	Open 11:00 - Closes 23:00
Friday	Closed
Saturday	Closed
Sunday	Open 11:00 - Closes 23:00

Lass O'Richmond Hill

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