The Bull W12
Tuesday March 9, 2010
Most British boozers pride themselves on a long, beer-addled history, so just how difficult is it to create that convivial atmosphere from scratch?
It sounds like a tall order, but Westfield's first pub is taking the proverbial bull by the horns - and winning.
London-based pub chain Geronimo Inns unveiled its new drinking spot, The Bull, in the Shepherds Bush mall's Southern Terrace in November, and the new beast has been gradually settling into the surrounding retail landscape ever since.
New pub manager Simon Fisher, 29, told h&f news: "We got a lot of feedback that people had been crying out for a pub at Westfield, and a lot of the staff finish at around 9pm or 10pm and come over here for a drink.
"We're also getting a lot of regular customers from the Shepherds Bush and Hammersmith areas - it's definitely an advantage for us that we're the only pub in the centre."
The venue's distinctive sweeping staircase and multiple levels, including a small, intimate mezzanine floor, has helped transform what could have been a cavernous, sterilefeeling space into a pleasant sprawl of different seating areas and snug, quiet corners.
It has also managed to find a happy middle ground between modern touches and more homely, quirky decor, with bookshelf partitions and retro mismatched furniture.
The heady mix of quality drinks, warming pub cuisine and cosy interior is clearly proving a hit with shoppers.
On the Wednesday night I visited, all three levels of the pub were packed with punters. I started my night with a punchy but very drinkable Finca La Colonia Norton Malbec from The Bull's extensive wine selection.
For beer drinkers there's also a good range of lagers, while the real ale list includes Doom Bar, Bombardier, Sambrook's, Wandle and Ruddles.
On the food side of things, the pub's modern British menu is divided into small meals - ideal for lunch or as a starter - as well as larger main courses, side dishes and desserts.
Simon added: "We have quite a flexible menu with different specials every day, and we often do promotions like a pint and a pie for £10."
For starters my companion and I tried the soup of the day, which was root vegetable served with crusty bread.
The soup was thick, tasty and a perfect late-winter warmer. It would almost have provided a satisfying meal in itself.
From the main courses I selected the roast Scottish salmon, served with a buttery hollandaise sauce and a fennel and watercress salad.
What arrived was adequate, but the salmon was a little overcooked and dry. However, the fish was well complemented by the fresh flavour of the fennel.
My friend's 8oz sirloin steak was also a touch overdone, but the quality of the cut shone through and it was still reasonably tender. The slab of meat was served up with a tasty peppercorn sauce and a generous helping of chunky chips, slow-roasted tomato and onion rings.
For dessert, we were both deeply impressed with the treacle sponge, which was surprisingly light and fluffy, and served with custard.
All in all it was very reasonable pub grub, and the fine selection of drinks, agreeable atmosphere and sheer convenience of the location is sure to make this place a winner. And that's no bull.
The Bull pub is open from 10ammidnight, Monday to Saturday, and 11am-11pm on Sundays. For more details call
020 8819 8903 or visit: www.thebullatwestfield.co.uk (opens new window).
