This chain has been around for more than 20 years, and with bars across the capital including Mayfair and Holborn the Pitcher and Piano has become an established fixture on the London bar scene.

The Venue
This branch of Pitcher and Piano is located on Bridge Street in Richmond with magnificent views over the River Thames. The clean and bright interior is matched by the attractive facade that is part of a traditional Georgian building that certainly stands out from the crowd. The wrought iron terrace on the outside was voted as one of the top 20 locations in the world to relax over a summer time drink. The interior is a combination of traditional hard-surfaced mahogany floors with modern wooden tables and sleek chairs to provide a comfortable area in which to relax in.

The Atmosphere
There are plenty of Richmond locals in Pitcher and Piano. Furthermore, the mix of young and old is not off putting as people come out on work functions or in groups for a night of fun. The staff are efficient and well organised on the whole. There are also some added features including regular entertainment with DJ resident slots on Saturdays and sporting events beamed on a large plasma screen so you won’t miss one single kick of the action.

The Food
For starters, try the bruschetta of mushroom and asparagus with a creamy sauce and toast that has been rubbed with garlic. The garlic brings out the flavours of the nutty chestnut mushrooms. The baked Camembert is beautifully presented in its box and served with a spicy plum jam and oatmeal bread.

Mains feature a rich and wholesome steak and mushroom pie with slow cooked, tender pieces of beef and mushroom braised in red wine. The onions and carrots are soft and well cooked while the shortcrust pastry is decent but tastes a little too much like dough. The dauphinois potatoes that come with this dish works really well with the rich flavours of the pie. Another great choice is the fillet of lightly battered haddock with tartare sauce, chips, marrow fat mushy peas and onion rings. The rings are crispy and not too greasy - as if you are just picking them up from an oil slick - while the batter is rich in texture and consistency.

To round off, try the sticky toffee pudding with a rich butterscotch sauce. The pudding itself is moist and soft and will melt your palette as well as your heart. The hot chocolate truffle brownie is also excellent - smooth and velvety and comes with vanilla ice cream.

The Drink
Hats off the Pitcher and Piano for introducing wine recommendations on the menu to suit particular dishes. This is a novel idea that should catch on at other chain bars. There is a respectable wine list with some interesting choices to pour comment over. The whites include a Chilean Concha y Toro Sauvignon Blanc, which is light, crispy and full of body; while the Australian Nottage Hill Riesling is clean, fruity, lively and at under £15 a bottle, this is certainly one prospect worth investing in.

There are some rich and fruity wines to explore featuring an Australian Tyrrell’s Shiraz with decadent ripe black fruit flavours and a spicy finish; and the organic Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon is as vibrant as Joseph’s amazing coat with its smooth texture. Meanwhile, if you want to splash out more or if you are celebrating, there are a few exciting Champagnes to choose from including Canard-Duchene Brut NV, which is soft and well balanced.

The Last Word
This Pitcher and Piano has a great advantage being perched on the riverbank and if you do have the weather, prop up a chair and let the world go by. The all round experience is well worth a visit.

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