171 Greyhound Road,
Fulham,
London,
W6 8NL
(020) 7386 9007
The ViewLondon Review
Formerly the Queen’s Arms, the Idle Hour is located on Greyhound Road, behind Queen’s Tennis Club, and provides a much needed alternative for locals to the nearby Curtain’s Up. Part of a chain of two, this is the second venture of the same name and replicates the award-winning format of the Barnes original.
The Venue
Although the pub has been recently refurbished those who remember it as the Queen’s Arms will not find the transformation too drastic. There is a large bar with a small amount of comfy seating for patrons just popping in for a drink, but the majority of space is given over to the dining area at the rear. There is also a more formal dining room on the first floor which can be rented for private functions. Inside, the walls are adorned with a proliferation of clocks in all shapes and sizes that reflects the owner’s obsession with time.
The Atmosphere
The slightly off-the-beaten-track location combined with the large size of the venue means that it is usually possible to get a table to dine without pre-booking, although at popular times such as Sunday lunch expect things to get busy. The crowd is an eclectic mix and seems to be made up mostly of in-the-know locals, including couples, families and larger groups of friends. One of the main draws of the Idle Hour is it feels like a true local pub, with a programme of events and an owner who seems to care about the customer experience. The service is relaxed and friendly and the pub has a laid back vibe.
The Food
The menu at the Idle Hour is short and seasonal and offers a good blend of classic pub dishes and more exotic gastro pub fare. It is not difficult to see why the organic burger with goose fat fries (£9.50) boasts award-winning credentials. The thick steak mince patties come pink in the middle and are head and shoulders above the standard of most pubs. Attend on a Monday and you can get them half price.
The good quality organic meat carries through to the popular Sunday table roasts (minimum of 2 people; £12.95-£13.95 per person), which offer a whole leg of lamb or chicken for you to carve up at the table. If you are feeling really extravagant ask about the Alaskan king crab at £45 for around 2lbs weight. Dessert options (£4.95) are less adventurous but equally well executed. The chocolate brownie has just the right gooey consistency and trumps the toffee pudding which comes drowned in sauce that is a shade too sickly.
The Drink
The Idle Hour has a small but comprehensive list of mostly organic wines at reasonable prices, a good array of draught beers including less common choices such as the Old Hooky (£3.50 per pint) and a surprisingly extensive range of spirits. The house Bloody Mary (made with homemade ingredients) is the standard by which this drink should be measured and is a perfect prelude or accompaniment to the Sunday roast.
The Last Word
Since opening this pub had been anything but Idle. A very welcome addition to the Baron’s Court eating and drinking scene.
Idle Hour has been reviewed by 2 users