The Devonshire Arms, Chiswick, W4

They had a couple of ales on in here – Sambrook’s Wandle and Harvey’s Best Bitter, with a clip for Woodforde’s Wherry reversed. I saw a stack of single-sheet printed menus at the end of the bar counter, but none on the tables as I guess that they had finished with lunch when I was in at 3.00 PM on a Wednesday. Obviously I never ventured into this place when it was a Gordon Ramsay bar/restaurant, but I would wager that it is very much more like a pub now. For a start, they have changed the name from “The Devonshire” back to its original name of The Devonshire Arms. It’s a deceptively large pub, with the main room on the right extending way past the bar counter on the left. At the end of this room I saw a doorway leading into a garden area. The smaller room on the left has got in it a couple of armchairs, a small square table accompanied by small stools, and a solid wooden table with a long wooden bench (looks a bit like ex BR stock to me) and a few chairs. The main room has normal tables and chairs, and everywhere is bare-boarded. The thing that really struck me was the fact that the panelling on all the walls was painted khaki. An unusual colour theme, but one that would have made some of my Army ex-colleagues feel right at home. So, even though it’s no longer Gordon Ramsay branded, it still retains something of a gastropub look to it. It’s not really my favourite type of pub, being a bit minimalist for my taste, but nonetheless they do serve a decent pint of Wandle. I think that I still prefer the Duke of York over the road, but this one does qualify for the “OK” category.

Randomness Guide to London - Devonshire entry

Randomness Guide to London - Devonshire entry

With Gordon Ramsey involved it is obviously a gastro pub, which is not my sort of thing, but in my opinion it has been done very well. The public bar is quite nice, but there isn't much seating, so get there early. There are a couple of sofas by the front windows, some small tables with armchairs dotted about and the bar is lined with bar stools. There is a large dining area to the rear of the pub leading onto a fairly small, but well presented beer garden. I found all of the staff to be friendly and polite and the drinks on offer were Pride, Deuchars, Leffe, San Miguel, Fosters and Guinness. As I said before I am not a great fan of gastro pubs, but this place is pleasant enough for me to revisit.

Now owned by Gordon Ramsay. Perhaps they should now call it "The F*****G Devonshire"