The Hound has taken over The Crown.
A statement which sounds like we’ve inadvertently launched some kind of top-secret spy operation, but mainly means that the Chiswick pub which closed unexpectedly earlier this year has been reborn as a beautiful new gastropub. It comes to you from the powerful pairing of Dominic Jacobs and JKS (the restaurant group behind Gymkhana, Trishna etc, who seem to have a habit of picking up Michelin stars).
Having previously collaborated on The Cadogan Arms in Chelsea and The George in Fitzrovia, they’ve finessed their take on the neighbourhood boozer. The Hound sits in a handsome building, originally built as a police station in the 19th century. And inside, the place is a cosy, Victorian pub in its sleekest expression, all mahogany wood panelling, royal blue banquettes and spindle back chairs. There’s a smart, original fireplace that’ll come into its own in winter, while an ivy-clad courtyard sits in the station’s former stables, complete with retractable roof. And it already feels like The Hound has been here for years. It’s buzzy, jolly, and there’s a strange but welcome sense of – could it be camaraderie? In London? Maybe we’d already hit the beers at this point.
Speaking of which, being an independent pub there’s quite an interesting line-up on the taps, from 1936 Swiss lager, to Devon Red Cider and Arctic Sky IPA from Cornwall’s Harbour Brewery (The Hound’s even collaborated with them to make their own pilsner). There’s a couple of cask ales, too; a small but quality wine list (featuring more of The Hound’s own, made in Côtes du Rhône); and a surprisingly good list of signature cocktails, including a Tomato & Basil Martini that kicks off a meal quite nicely.
Because while you could just pop in here for a pint with your neighbours, The Hound is very much a gastropub. Knappett’s ideas, carried off with aplomb by head chef John Sparks, take classic pub grub up a notch. There’s a comforting chicken & leek pie, served with a mound of mashed potato crowned with a cube of melting butter; perfectly pitched steak with a whisky peppercorn sauce; a Highland wagyu hot dog blanketed in molten Ogleshield cheese; and a pineapple-spiked tiger prawn Thai curry (because, let’s face it, some of the best parts of British cuisine are the bits we’ve adopted from elsewhere).
If you’re just dropping in for a quick bite, there’s Carlingford rock oysters, curried pork scratchings and an oozy black pudding scotch egg to pick at with your pint. It goes without saying that there’s sticky toffee pudding on the dessert menu – and it’s good.
Come the autumn, The Hound will also unveil a handful of elegant hotel rooms upstairs, where you’ll likely spend a more comfortable night than you would have 150 years ago…
NOTE: You can find out more, and make a booking at The Hound here.
The Hound | 210 Chiswick High Road, London W4 1PD
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