Until recently the pub was called “The Orange Brewery” and was one of the best Pubs not just in Pimlico, but in the whole of the country. Newly refurbished in a traditional yet comfortable style, and boasting of being the only Pub which brewed it’s own beer, it offered a range of freshly brewed tasty beers – just what you wanted from a pub in the 1980s & 90s.
Unfortunately as time went by the advent of micro-breweries belittled the exclusivity of the pub’s beer, and recently the decor began to look it’s age, so (perhaps with an envious eye on the success of The Ebury up the road) the new owner closed the Brewery and undertook a massive refurbishment. The Pub has reopened as “The Orange” Public House and Hotel offering accommodation, and upmarket food, and having read several rave reviews I felt obliged to try it myself and report back.
The Orange Pub
There is not a shadow of doubt that the refurbishment creates a lovely building, with an open and light Atrium in the middle. I would think that the Bed and Breakfast would be a cut above the normal Pub Accommodation, but as they don’t publish prices I wouldn’t know if it represents a viable alternative to a hotel.
Our meal was served with adequate service, not up to the service that you would expect from a restaurant, but the staff were pleasant enough and pretty much what you would expect from a pub meal. The food was distinctly above the standard pub fare that you tend to expect in the UK, although again you couldn’t say that it excelled. Personally I tried a Wild Boar, Chorizo, and Chestnut Casserol – which was an adventurous choice costing £12.50 and disappointed dramatically, being over salty and devoid of Chestnuts. A friend couldn’t eat their Lamb, complaining it was tough and undercooked – although I suspect that I would have enjoyed it myself as I like my food on the rare side. Vegetables are priced as an extra, and it grated to pay £3.50 for some mashed potato. The beer was nice, but even by London prices £3.75p for a pint, or £3.50p for an Orange Juice is a lot to pay.
Unusually for a pub the bill came with an optional 12.5% Service Charge added, and I have to say I am always inclined to be suspicious of establishments that do that, as it smacks to me of a dishonest way of making menu prices seem lower than they really are. In this case 3 of us shared a reasonable quality single course, single drink, pub lunch which cost us £67. Frankly, even by Central London standards, that is too much. I don’t know where the professional reviews are getting their five star rave reviews from – this place is one to avoid I am afraid.
Opening Hours
Monday – Thursday: 8am to 11.30pm
Friday & Saturday: 8am to Midnight
Sunday: 8am to 10.30pm
37 Pimlico Road
London SW1W 8NE
020 7881 9844 / reservations@theorange.co.uk
http://theorange.co.uk/
