The Orange

Words by Simon Difford

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Address: 37 Pimlico Road, (corner St Barnabas St), London, SW1W 8NE, United Kingdom
Tel: +44 (0)20 7881 9844
Email: reservations@theorange.co.uk
Website: view The Orange’s website
Door: Make reservation
Style: Gastro pub
Food: Set menu

Review

This suitably gentrified gastro pub and hotel sits proudly in the heart of swanky Belgravia. The ground floor bar has a good buzz about it, attracting a local well-healed crowd, but if you are visiting for a meal, you're likely to find yourself eating in the upstairs dining room, particularly if there for Sunday roast. The pub's four hotel rooms sit above.

The two adjoining first floor dining rooms have a French farmhouse feel with stripped pine dado and picture rails, skirting boards and window frames against a distressed concrete coloured walls with sturdy oak tables on bare floorboards. Both bar and dining room have a homely charm.

Judging by our visit, the food is good but not special. Our Sunday roasts were on the cold side, particularly the vegetables which we suspect were plated first. The stuffing in the "Suffolk chicken, sage & bacon suffing" lacked flavour, as did the chicken itself. However, generally the food, which ranges from wood fired pizzas to "Saddle of rabbit, braised leg, fennel & onion tart, artichokes, date jus", is above average and well presented, as are the very friendly efficient staff.

Crucially, despite the upmarket food, The Orange remains a pub rather than a restaurant and has an impressive drinks offering, including a couple of cask ales on draught, 19 wines by the glass and an impressive cocktail selection - we particularly recommend the Sherry Old Fashioned.

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