Cuisine: Gastropub

Cost:

Rating:

Where?: 35, Old Church Street, Chelsea, London, SW3 5BS.

Closest station(s): Sloane Square, South Kensington, Gloucester Road.

Telephone: 0207 352 2908

Website: www.thepigsear.info

Tucked away in Chelsea off Cheyne Walk this pub is not somewhere that I had heard much about – venturing inside it is largely pub with a small dining area to one side. Not being very busy and not feeling like a table clothed dining experience we took a table in the bar.

Having kept its look as a pub the menu was rather more gastro than I had expected. The veal bone marrow with which I started was delicious, however far too large. Despite sharing half with my dining partner I struggled to finish even my part – I would be surprised to see many people finish a whole plate with it being so rich. The scotch egg was also very good, perfectly cooked. The steak tartare with which I followed was enjoyable; not out of this world but certainly a decent plate of food.

At about £7 for starters and £14 mains it isn’t too bad for Chelsea and the food was good, though not faultless. The house wine is again well priced and the staff were extremely friendly. Overall it was a good find if in Chelsea and wanting a reliable bite in a relaxed environment – though I’m not sure I would necessarily want to sit in the dining area; certainly a decent gastropub but I’m not sure whether it warrants a table cloth.