Today we’re heading into the heart of Mayfair for a lovely pub lunch. One of my favourite places and ways to spend a day. Today’s destination is The Footman. It’s recently undergone a refurbishment and is looking particularly shiny while still maintaining its comfortingly traditional pub style.
The pub dates back to 1749 and was frequented by the footmen who were in service to the households of Mayfair. Part of their job was to run ahead of their master’s coach paying any tolls in advance and clearing the way through for the coach. Sounds like thirsty work to me, no wonder they needed to go to the pub!
The story goes that as the fashion for footmen dwindled, one of them bought the pub and named it after himself. He must have had a lucrative career! It’s a stylish traditional pub set over three floors. We ate in the upstairs dining room with its beautiful polished wood and large windows looking out over the activity of the Mayfair streets.
The menu is kind of traditional pub with a twist – a little bit extra added to make each plate extra special. I started with the smoked chicken gillette which was served with yuzu mayonnaise, chicken crackling and toasted bloomer. Beautifully creamy with a little bit of extra zing from the yuzu.
This beautiful plate of scallops came with fennel kimchi, sweet potato, avocado and coriander puree. So much attention to detail to each of the elements brings together a tasty dish with the most succulent of scallops.
And how’s this for a shepherd’s pie with a difference. As well as the traditional pie there was a succulent piece of crispy lamb’s belly on the side along with duck fat carrots and mint sauce. Rich and satisfying.
I love a gammon dish and it’s not something I often eat so I jumped at the chance today. What a winner! The luscious chunk of honey glazed gammon was topped with a fried duck egg and came with confit potatoes, a pineapple relish and parsley sauce. This is what gammon heaven tastes like and doesn’t it look fabulous too?
There’s a mouthwatering dessert menu – and if you have even the smallest bit of space left I highly recommend this lightest and most flavourful of puddings. English strawberry parfait comes with granola, meringue and lime curd. Refreshing and delightfully cooling. So that’s the perfect finish to a hearty pub meal.
I’d happily visit The Footman regularly just like all those footmen seemed to back in the day. There’s plenty more I would like to try on that menu!
Today’s price point
And finally.
Lunch for two cost just over £100. This included two starters, two mains and one dessert and a lovely bottle of red wine.
The Footman is at 5 Charles Street, London W1J 5DF.
