The Idle Hour in Hammersmith, London

Fluid Eating's Review of The Idle Hour

Best for: Sunday roast lunches; Bloody Marys.

Great: Friendly service; community feel; organic ice-cream, great British pub food.

Much has been spoken in recent years about the decline of the Great British Pub. An estimated 60 boozers per month call their last last orders so it seems this venerable institution could really be teetering on the edge of extinction.

That isn’t to say their plight is short of public support, in principle. At the highest level of domestic politics, over 200 MPs from all parties signed a parliamentary motion in 2009 pledging to save the British pub from extinction (we all know how much a politician’s pledge is worth though). Plus, newspapers like The Sun, The Times and News of the World have all editorialised in defence of what they call ‘a British way of life’. Indeed, Rupert Murdoch, owner of all three, is so concerned about the predicament of our pubs that the average cost of pub subscription to his Sky Sports TV channels has increased by a mere 900% over the last decade.

So, with friends like these, it seems our local landlords are alone in their battle to save the great British pub from the conglomerate might of supermarket bargain booze aisles and Wetherspoons-style binge drinking. But how can they meet the diverse needs of the modern urban consumer? How can they be simultaneously innovative yet traditional, stylish yet homely, financially viable yet affordable, the hub of a community yet based in a London where most residents don’t even know their own neighbours?

The answer can be found in a quiet Baron’s Court back street, where the Idle Hour pub has managed this seemingly impossible balancing act with near perfect precision.

Playing on its name, and the ‘time well spent’ slogan, the walls of the clean yet comfy split level interior are adorned tastefully with original vintage clock faces and artfully arranged timepiece-related photography. Indicative of the pub’s broad appeal, the clientele vary considerably from day to day, from lively Saturday night crowds to Sunday loafers, from those who travel across town for the famous Sunday lunches, to local residents encouraged by the regular ‘meet the neighbours’ evenings.

On the Sunday afternoon we visited, those around us were of the kind of genteel stock you’d expect for this well-to-do corner of southwest London, but still diverse enough; young adults out with their parents, middle-aged couples enjoying each other’s company in comfortable silence over a roast and the Sunday papers, and groups of twenty-somethings in their Sunday slouching clothes nursing sore heads from the night before.

Clearly noting that my partner and I belonged to the third group, our waiter greeted us with an understanding smile and an offer of the ‘best Bloody Mary in town’ by way of hair of the dog. And the best Bloody Mary in town is what he duly delivered, with a mercurial blend of tomato, vodka, horseradish, chilli, lemon, lime, celery, and ice cutting right through my hangover and bringing me afresh into the clear Sunday afternoon; a rare attention to quality for this classic cocktail.

The roast lamb that followed again demonstrated the Idle Hour’s capacity for distinctive twists on tradition (and surely nothing is more traditional than a British Sunday roast). Arriving all in one glass baking dish, it was a whole, un-carved, beautifully succulent and generously-portioned joint nestled amid goose-fat roast potatoes, honey and cumin-roasted carrots, crunchy broccoli and shallots. Descending on us from the kitchen on the level above, it was truly manna in a baking tray. Fresh mint sauce, ‘takes-a-week-to-make’ gravy and carving implements (providing the rare opportunity to ask ‘shall I be mum?’) followed seconds later to complete the Sunday lunch experience. Roast consumed, our desserts were again standard pub food delivered in an exceptional way: organic Cornish fudge ice cream and, soaked in a rich rum sauce, the best sticky toffee pudding I’ve had since childhood.

So the Idle Hour has found ingenious ways to tread the fine lines between style and comfort, tradition and innovation, community and cross-town appeal, all with resounding success. Surely that can’t come cheap? Well, no it can’t. While drinks are regularly priced, and bargains are available (mushroom and truffle soup for a fiver, anyone?), food at Idle Hour pub does cost marginally more that of the average pub.

But then this isn’t an average pub. For if there’s one group of people the Idle Hour doesn’t cater for, it’s those who would rather wolf down microwave-cooked battery offal with soggy veg in a depressing, soulless environment, just to shave a couple of quid off the bill. That experience can be reserved for the fair-weather pub fans in the media, celebrity circles or parliament. This pub’s owners clearly care far more about the real great British pub experience. If you do too, you’ll find few such experiences as satisfying as the Idle Hour. Time well spent, indeed.

Reviewed by Alistair Martin.

DESCRIPTION: Situated directly behind The Queen's Tennis Club, The Idle Hour (previously The Queen's Arms) has undergone major refurbishment in April 2010. The grand opening was in May 2010. Fluid was there too: Barons Court Newbie.

It is now an urban chic Gastropub with downstairs bar & seating, & additional first floor dining room, which is available for private functions.

With an exciting new menu comprising mainly organic ingredients, the food can be described as: simple, seasonal and sensational!

Its sister pub, The Idle Hour in Barnes, has accumulated a huge number of awards and accolades over the years. The Barons Court site is destined for the same recognition.

Be sure to try out the award-winning burgers at our half-price burger nights on Mondays! (Updated 04/10/2011)

The Idle Hour Food & Drink Menus

Listed below are few sample food and drinks items available at The Idle Hour. These lists are not enhaustive, but are instead designed to give you an overview of the venue's offerings and assciated prices.

The Idle Hour Food menu

Simple, seasonal & sensational!

Item	Price
Organic steak mince burger.	£10.95
Our national award winning organic steak mince burger served w/red onion marmalade, mature cheddar & hand cut chips.
Sugar snap peas.	£2.95
Side order
Hand cut chips.	£2.95
Side order.
Organic ice cream.	£4.95
Three scoops of delicious organic ice cream. Either vanilla, cornish fudge or rhubarb.
Sticky toffee pudding.	£4.95
Sticky toffee pudding w/toffee and rum sauce and organic vanilla ice cream.
Lavendar creme brulee.	£4.95
A fine, smooth creme infused with lavendar petals and topped with a hard caremalized lid.
Chocolate Brownie.	£4.95
Callebaut chocolate brownie w/organic vanilla ice cream.
Pork Belly	£11.95
Slow roast free range pork belly w/ bramley apple mash and a rich jus.
Thai style chicken pot-au-feu.	£11.95
A chicken pot-au-feu made with classic thai herbs and spices, such as ginger, chilli, and lemon grass. Served with coarsely chopped vegetables and pak choy.
Stuffed courgettes	£11.95
Baked round courgettes stuffed with a pepper, tomato and onion cous cous and quinoa w/ chantanay carrots.
Courgette and mozzarella ravioloni.	£11.95
Handmade courgette and mozzarella ravioloni with a roasted red pepper and tomato reduction.
Minted lamb skewers.	£12.95
Minted lamb skewers on a bulgar wheat, celery and pomegranate salad.
Haddock.	£12.95
Poached MSC Haddock fillet served on watercress, pea and broad bean salad.
Steamed mussels.	£10.95
Steamed mussels w/ white wine, cream, garlic and coriander.
Steamed mussels.	£5.95
Steamed mussels w white wine, cream, garlic and coriander.
Watercress soup.	£5.25
Homemade watercress soup with creme fraiche.
Grilled squid and chorizo.	£6.95
Grilled squid and chorizo w/ sugar snaps in a lemon dressing.
Onion Pie.	£5.95
Sticky onion and gorgonzola pie with walnuts.
Scallops.	£6.95
Sauteed scallops with a sweetcorn puree and lime zest.
Broccoli.	£2.95
Side order.
Green salad.	£2.95
Side order.
Cheese board.	£7.50
Cheese board w/mature farmhouse cheddar, brie and stilton served w/grapes, sliced apple and crackers.
Spinach.	£2.95
Side order.
Seasonal fishermans sharing pot.	£13.95
Seasonal fishermans pot. Typically containing sustainable British fish, mussels and prawns; the best of the days catch! To be shared between two or more.
Baby new potatoes	£2.95
Side order.

The Idle Hour Drink menu

Our Cocktail list is short and high in value and quality.

Item	Description	Price
Bison Grass Tatanka	Zubrovka bison vodka, organic cloudy apple juice and freshly squeezed lemon..	£6.95
The Idle Hour's Gizmo	Russian Standard vodka, ginger, Cointreau and cranberry..	£7.50
Pimm's Made Properly	Classically made Pimm's with some added gin, all the usual fruit and mint and topped up with half ginger beer and half lemonade. If only we had a croquet lawn to serve it upon….	£7.95
Bloody Mary	Horseradish and chilli vodka (infused in house), cream sherry, tomato juice, Tabasco, worcestershire sauce, freshly squeezed lime and grated fresh horseradish..	£6.95
Caipirinha	Cachaca poured over muddled lime and sugar and crushed ice..	£6.95
Chocolate Martini	Russian Standard vodka, crème de cacao with a chocolate rim..	£6.95
Tuaca Whacker	Tuaca liqueur, OJ, cream, lime and powdered sugar..	£6.95
Classic Golden Margarita	Cuervo gold tequila, triple sec, fresh lime and salt..	£6.95
Dark and stormy.	Captain Morgan's dark rum, fresh lime, and Old Jamaica ginger beer. Built over ice and topped with Angostura bitters..	£6.95
Havana Club Mojito	The Cuban classic, Havana Club 3 yr old rum, fresh lime, mint and soda..	£6.95
French martini.	Russian Standard vodka, Chambord liquer and Pineapple juice shaken over ice and strained in to a martini glass..	£6.95

The Idle Hour Special Offers

As if we don't offer value enough you should consider our weekly special offers that turn excellent in to fantastic value dining.

Title: 2 courses for £14.95
Description: Fantastic Value Dining. You can have a starter and a main course for £14.95 if you dine with us from Sunday evening till Thursday.
Classification: Fixed price Menu
Date: 12 Nov, 2010 - 30 Nov, 2020
Days: Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday
Time: 18:00 - 22:00

The Idle Hour Opening Hours

Sunday	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday
12:00pm - 11:00pm	4:00pm - 12:00am	4:00pm - 12:00am	4:00pm - 12:00am	4:00pm - 12:00am	4:00pm - 12:00am	12:00pm - 12:00am

The Idle Hour Map

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“Agree the Sunday roasts are great - especially the roast potatoes. Yum. Would definitely recommend to my friends!” Rating: — Hannah, London (02 Feb 2011)

“Really nice chilled pub, especially on a Sunday. Went for the roast which was amazing, full joint of lamb that you carve yourself, all the trimmings come in the same dish, amazing. Defintetly gonna be my Sunday regular from now on!” Rating: — Delroy, Wimbledon (31 Jan 2011)

“Excellent welcoming atmosphere, nice people and amazing food. The perfect place to relax with your friends after work. Don't forget to try their super-sized crab - unbelievable!” Rating: — Almu, London (15 Jun 2010)

“Fantastic food with an amazing atmosphere I would highly recommend it to large groups or even more intimate occasions, first class service with first class staff we had a great night and will definitely be going back! :-)” Rating: — Paul Lachman, London (10 Jun 2010)

“From the outside you have the perception thats its just another good old 'Queen Vic', however when you get inside your completely blown away. The atmoshpere is brilliant, very laid back and warm and the staff are extremly friendly. It was totally amazed by the retractable roof upstairs...which will be amazing in the summertime. I definately recommend the 'Award Winning' Burger and Alaskan crab. Love it!” Rating: — Docbrownie, London (10 Jun 2010)

“Great place, great people and great food. I would definitely recommend to my friends.” Rating: — faiz hussain, london (10 Jun 2010)

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