It was dark, raining, the wind was whipping fresh blasts of ice against me and I’d just battled the commuter crowds to visit Chelsea’s newest neighbourhood pub. Arriving wet, tired and cold, I was not in the best of moods. However, The Hunter's Moon was just the pick-me-up I needed and the perfect remedy on a freezing mid-January night.
Snug decor and homely additions make this a tempting den to hunker down in during the winter months.
Entering the pub through a set of curtains, I was met by a sea of mahogany furniture, plush sofas and jewel-toned walls. Beyond sits the dining room where we set up camp and took a recce of the space. Various blackboards, quirky paintings and a decorative Aga added cosy and subtle nods to its countryside-inspired aesthetics, without going overboard. Both rooms were filled with drinkers and diners and the place had a nice buzz to it for a Tuesday night.
Whilst perusing the regularly-changing menu, often altered on a weekly basis to showcase the best and freshest ingredients at the time, we sipped from a rich Italian Nero d'Avola (£28) and grazed on their homemade focaccia (£4). Made every day and flavoured with rosemary and thyme, it's the best focaccia I’ve ever eaten. And as a middle-class white girl, that’s really saying something. If that was just an appetiser, I was looking forward to what dinner had in store for me.
Whilst I opted for the ceviche my dinner date tucked into a creamy burrata.
And I was not disappointed. Taking our waiter's sound recommendation, I started with the scallop ceviche with whipped avocado, pickled ginger and ponzu dressing (£10.50). A visually beautiful bowl of refreshing and innovative flavours, it was absolutely delicious and filling without being too heavy. Keeping the seafood trend going, mains saw me tucking into a rich and creamy roast Cornish hake with 'nduja risotto, salted almonds, aioli and aged pecorino (£16.50), the perfect dish for a cold wintry day.
Finishing on a sugary note, we chose to share the white chocolate and raspberry baked Alaska (£10.50) and sticky toffee pudding with banana and cocoa nib ice cream (£10). Sweet without being sickly, if we had any space left we would've opted for seconds.
The DesignMyNight Digest
Cosy interiors, friendly staff and home to the world's best focaccia, The Hunter’s Moon is just the pub to fix your wintry slump. Nip into the charming West Kensington boozer during the week for a tasty sub-£20 lunchtime set menu or just rock up for an evening drink or two in the dog-friendly bar with your furry friend. In either case, you'll leave in a much better mood than when you arrived.
The Hunter's Moon is located at 86 Fulham Rd, South Kensington, London SW3 6HR and open from midday till late 7 days a week. Hungry? Check out our guide to the best restaurants in Kensington, here.
