The stuff of south London legend, The Latchmere Public House and Garden in Battersea has its mojo back, courtesy of award-winning Three Cheers Pubs.
Following the success of The Avalon, The Abbeville and The Bolingbroke, owners and old school friends Tom Peake, Mark Reynolds and Nick Fox’s have spread their wings a little further with their seventh site.
In the same vein as their other venues, the utmost attention has been paid to the three most important pillars of any pub: the food, the drink and the people, keeping it home-grown, hand-crafted and traditional wherever possible.
The interior has received a similar level of dedication and celebrates the Victorian era when the inn was first built. I loved the big squashy, beaten leather sofas which would be perfect for a Sunday afternoon spent reading the papers and the walls are adorned with an eclectic mixture of photographs and prints, many depicting the history of the Theatre which is still very much part of The Latchemere’s unique offering.
Getting the food right at The Latchmere is a priority and here they have certainly succeeded. Much of the pork and chicken is hand reared at Renaissance’s Locks Drove Farm in Hampshire. Steaks are aged in-house and for the first time Executive Chef Massimo Tebaldi has created his very own uniquely flavoured British charcuterie. There’s great fish dishes too, all sustainably soured from the south coast.
I recently with one of my lovely NCT Mummy friends. We were both very impressed with the food – we had the pulled pork sandwich and their classic burger – someone once told me that the best way to rate a good pub is to check out the quality of the burgers. The choice of wine was fantastic and as we both had a baby free afternoon so we enjoyed a couple of glasses of the Verdejo. Puddings are the kind that everyone wants after a pub meal: banoffee pie, pannacotta with poached rhubarb, we went for the salted sticky toffee pudding with vanilla ice cream – it was just divine.
Although we were without them on this occasion, there are of course there are also lots of options for the children. Fresh, fast and healthy – you can choose from either small portions of all the big meals or from the dedicated kids’ menu. You can follow this up with a decorate it yourself gingerbread man – hours of fun! There are plenty of good quality clean high chairs and they also have good baby change facilities.
Full details of all the menus can be found here.
Outside there are some bottom-warming garden booths! Mindful of England’s lack of commitment to sunshine, The Latchmere has created a striking all-weather garden with over-head and under-seat heating for the chilliest of summer days.
For those who like a garden party there is also a private room which seats 12 outside as well as bright, fun kids’ area complete with Wendy House and ride-on toys which is perfect for keeping those little ones occupied while you enjoy that extra glass of wine or coffee in peace!
Finally, the Oliver-Award winning Theatre503 continues to be on the first floor of The Latchmere. A hot house of breaking new talent, customers of both venues are free to walk throughout both bits of the building. A daily changing theatre menu is also always on hand for those looking to dine before or after a show.
Enjoy a 10% discount on your food bill Monday – Friday from 12 noon – 5pm with your Clapham Mums’ card.
The Latchmere, 503 Battersea Park Rd, London SW11 3BW
T: 020 7223 3549
E: info@thelatchmere.co.uk
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