56 Wellesley Road,
Chiswick,
London,
W4 4BZ
(020) 8994 0828
The ViewLondon Review
The Pilot is a food-focused Fuller's pub that provides the perfect base to meet friends for great food and drink.
The Venue
Set in a quiet residential area of Chiswick, the pub is located around a five-minute walk from both Kew Bridge and Gunnersbury station. Inside the pub you are met by the bar area and soft furnishings of cream and beige, which give a light and airy feel without detracting from the cosy rustic ambience. You instantly feel more relaxed as soon as you sit down and take the chance to gaze upon the walls that are adorned with a variety of still and real life paintings.
The Pilot is also home to a decked beer garden complete with outdoor heaters. This area is located at the rear of the pub, as is the Garden Room, which is perfect for private functions. Along with doors that lead to a private outside space, the Garden Room comes fitted with a widescreen television, a sound-system and wi-fi.
The Atmosphere
Despite the affluent location, you won’t encounter any snootiness, and the staff are genuinely friendly, attentive and welcoming.
The Food
The food here is undoubtedly the star of the show, and is as easy on the eye as it is on the palate. Offering pub classics with a twist, the menu reads well and is seasonal, freshly prepared and homemade.
They have a good selection of starters including chicken liver and thyme pate (£5.50), which is smooth and perfectly accompanied by a sweet red onion marmalade and warm toast. For £5.75 you can have potted crab served with toasted sourdough and it’s nice to see portions sizes are generous. For larger groups, or for those feeling a little ravenous, there are also sharing boards available, including a vegetarian option.
For mains, the beef burger with melted Croxton Manor Cheddar, smoked bacon, relish and chips comes in at £9.75. But this is no ordinary burger and chips; the juicy burger is held together by a tasty multi-seeded bun and is served with a metal basket of perfectly seasoned chips. For £10 you can have The Pilot Pie of the Day, which is freshly made and accompanied by delicious buttered greens.
Desserts are tempting on the eye but fairly standard to taste. Although another trip could happily be made just to see how their homemade Arctic roll fairs. All in all, for fresh home cooked food that is beautifully presented, the prices are extremely reasonable.
The Drink
Drinks are reasonably priced too. There is an extensive wine list of which most are available either by the glass, carafe or bottle. A glass of wine will set you back around £4.75, with a bottle costing around £20. Recommended is a glass of Pinot Grigio Villa Cerro 2010, which is a crisp Italian rose that has a delicate hint of strawberries. A bottle of prosecco can be yours for £25.
As a Fuller’s pub, they also stock cask conditioned ales brewed at the nearby Griffin Brewery. Lagers include Peroni and Becks Vier. Also available are a selection of malt whiskies, cognac and port.
The Last Word
This place is one of the area’s best-kept secrets and, after a recent refurbishment, this pub has upped its game. Both the staff and beer garden add to its charm and The Pilot is well worth a visit.
The Pilot has been reviewed by 2 users