The Hare & Hounds, Esher

The Hare & Hounds now has a large marquee covering much of the front area, allowing for alfresco drinking and dining without the possibility of getting wet. With the sun blazing (maybe a slight exaggeration), we chose to be away from the shelter. As with many pubs these days, the ale choice was not immediately obvious. We enquired to be told that Tribute & Landlord were the options. I'd been hoping to find something from the local Brightwater Brewery. A trip to the toilet revealed a Brightwater Daisy Gold pumpclip with a glass over the handpull. In addition, there was Brightwater Claygate Cider. We decided to stay for a second to sample the cider, only to be told that it too was unavailable. Food smelt very tempting. The second lady we spoke to was clearly of French origin and sure enough, the restaurant here specialises in French food. Not a bad pub, with friendly and accommodating staff.

A long space with the formal restaurant bit at the right, partially separated by hiding behind a large brick chimney and fireplace. The bar is on the back wall, the ceiling has dark exposed wooden beams and the floor is carpeted at the drinking end, wooden boarded elsewhere. It felt fairly homely with a smell of wood smoke and a friendly little white dog roaming around checking people out; the corner TV was off and background music was playing at a lowish volume. Mostly standard seating for the drinkers at square tables for four although there was one high table with a few newspapers scattered across it. I didn't check out any menus as I didn't see any but a chalkboard listed rather upmarket sandwiches for between £6 and 7.50 although they do come with soup or chips. The vinegar and ketchup on the tables suggest the English menu may be more pub grub than the French version. Decor is not much more than a few framed prints and cartoons although there were a few Champagne bottles on the window cills as well as the obligatory white candles here and there. For somewhere like this the beer range was pretty reasonable if not adventurous, Pride, Tribute, Old Peculiar, Youngs Bitter and Bombardier with Thwaites Wainwright advertised as next on. Certainly more of a place for a meal than a session but it was fine for a quick half of Tribute (£2). The outdoor terrace to the front looks like a good spot for a nice day too.