The fox and pheasant: it’s not a combination that usually ends well. For the pheasant, at least.
Quietly bucking the trend is this cosy pub & restaurant, which has been sitting on a picturesque, pastel-coloured mews on the border of Fulham and Chelsea since 1846.
About 170 years into its tenure, The Fox and Pheasant was at risk of closing down until a plucky local by the name of James Blunt (yes, that James Blunt) and his wife Sofia swooped in to save it. They gave the place a top-to-toe refurb, and it’s been one of the area’s most popular boozers ever since.
That’s thanks in large part to the decor – coming here, you’ll feel like you’ve stepped into a handsome country inn. The original mullioned windows and beaten-up floorboards are set off by rustic farmhouse furnishings, quaint landscape paintings, and three roaring fireplaces (usually guarded by one or two sleepy old dogs). Then, just to remind you you’re in Chelsea, they’ve plonked a huge, light-drenched conservatory at the back, with a retractable roof for summer and a couple of Chesterfield leather booths to accommodate bigger groups.
The Fox and Pheasant is really more restaurant than pub – in place of pork scratchings, you’ll find Perelló olives to pick at, and twice-baked cheese soufflés on the starters list. For mains, you can score a beef shin & stilton pie with mash; charred octopus with a butterbean ragù; and of course pheasant breast, served with a black pudding sausage roll and celeriac fondant. Naturally, they do a mean Sunday roast too: choices include roast pork belly, roast cauliflower for the veggies, and a whole spatchcock chicken to share with all the trimmings – and a generous serving of chocolate mousse to finish.
On the drinks side, beers skilfully straddle craft brews for the millennials and draught bitter for the dads; magnums of rosé; and a signature cocktail list which genuinely includes a gin & grapefruit number called “You’re Beautiful”.
It’s true.
NOTE: The Fox and Pheasant is open daily. You can find out more, and book a table, HERE.
The Fox and Pheasant | 1 Billing Road, Chelsea, London, SW10 9UJ
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