441 Battersea Park Road,
Battersea,
London,
SW11 4LR
(020) 7223 7721
The ViewLondon Review
For those living in Clapham or Battersea, The Lighthouse provides relaxing surroundings for Friday evening relief.
The Venue
The interior of The Lighthouse is gastropub in style with comforting wood fittings, from raw tables and chairs to the obligatory deep filled leather sofas temptingly arranged around a fire.
There are also some quirky artistic touches like the French style poster images; perhaps due to the influence of the quietly stylish French manager, Cedric. The lighting is subtle with large church candles on the tables and ceiling lighting, which dims as the evening progresses.
The Atmosphere
The atmosphere here, particularly on a weekend, is lively and busy. It is advisable to arrive early to guarantee a table. Once ensconced, however, you will find it hard to leave.
This is the kind of pub where you can arrive early and relax without the company of your mobile. It is a popular meeting place for groups of professional twentysomethings and local couples enjoying a relaxed evening.
The Food
After a few glasses of wine you can’t fail to be tempted by the menu, even if it is just for a plate of chunky chips. There is a good selection of unpretentious sharer dishes ideal for evening munchies, such as cocktail sausages with dipping sauces or hummous with flat breads and crunchy vegetables. For a main course, prices range from £9-£12 and you can enjoy warming and hearty traditional pub food, such as game pie or fish stew.
The game pie is a manly supper, presented in a china dish with vegetables and potatoes. The fish stew provides a lighter, more satisfying option with generous chunks of white fish and pieces of squid in a tomato and onion sauce with a little too much emphasis on the garlic. You need to save room to tackle the dessert menu, which includes serious puddings such as amaretto and pear crumble and cheesecake. Not for the faint hearted, but always delicious!
The Drink
With an extensive wine list including no less than four different Champagnes, The Lighthouse caters for most tastes. A large glass of wine starts from £4.40 and a really lovely Shiraz can be obtained for £5.80. The bar also offers speciality ciders - no Magners in sight.
The Last Word
The Lighthouse is the perfect place for a group of friends or an intimate date. Spacious yet cosy; British with a touch of France; warm with a stylish edge; this is a comfort zone for the people of SW11 and beacon for those wandering further afield.
The Lighthouse has been reviewed by 4 users