Randomness Guide to London Menu

Good Beer Guide pub in Putney, and CAMRA's Greater London Pub of the Year 2007 and 2009.

They have ten handpulls on the bar, and used to serve the full range of Timothy Taylor beers as well as guest ales. However as of October 2010 the real ale page on their website has changed to state that their new policy is "to buy in the whole range of a particular brewer every week, one that is not normally showcased in London [...] a sort of rolling beer festival." According to comments on Beer In The Evening, this switch from Tim Taylor ales may be due to supply problems.

Prior to the policy change, Tim Taylor Dark Mild was often on, and very drinkable, and on a March 2009 visit, the Ram Tam was particularly nice. One notable guest on our January 2008 visit was Downton Chocolate Orange stout — very tasty. There is normally one real cider available on a hand pump. As of March 2009, the real ales are £3/pint.

They really care about their beer here. On our January 2008 visit, the barman poured an entire pint down the sink because he thought it looked a bit cloudy.

They do food all day; as of October 2008 this is soup and sandwiches between noon and 5pm (made on the premises) and proper food from 5pm provided by SCOFF. The quality of the SCOFF food is pretty good, but because it's essentially a takeaway delivery, takes 30-45 mins to arrive regardless of how empty the pub is. It's also more expensive than the average pub meal, but is still reasonably good value. You may want to order your dessert at the same time as your starter. You can pay by credit card for the food, but this involves stepping behind the bar to read your card details out over the phone after your order is placed (though the menu in March 2009 indicated that the pub could take card payments for food).

In April 2008, elvum et al. tried "lamb casserole with rosemary dumpling" (£9), "steak and kidney pie" (£11) and "rare-breed pork sausages with caramelised onion gravy" (£11). The sausages were excellent - meaty and tasty, and came with puréed potatoes and a generous serving of tasty gravy. The pie was not a "true pie", having pastry only on top, but that pastry was at least shortcrust. It had perhaps suffered a little on its journey to the pub, and lost a little of its crispness.

The decor is quite basic and functional, but in a good way. There's a large table at the front which is good for bigger groups. They have a proper open fire, and a bar skittles set. There is a largish paved beer garden at the side of the pub with a barbecue that is presumably fired up in the summer months.

The men's toilets are very small.

See also:

• Fancyapint review
• Pubs Galore comments
• Beer In The Evening comments
• Tandleman's review
• Time Out review
• Qype comments
• Hip-Hops review