The Hero just keeps on winning
We loved our lunch at The Hero this summer so we rushed straight down to the newly opened Grill, which is a separate restaurant in the first floor dining room above the pub. It’s a beautiful dining room with big leather banquettes, crumbling moulded plaster ceilings, wooden wall panels, and creaking wooden floor boards. It’s almost a bit Sessions Arts Club vibes but crossed with a classic pub.
Eat This
London continues to throw up menus that read so well they are nearly impossible to order from. Last week it was Jason Atherton’s Sael and this week, The Grill had us flummoxed, with a beaut menu that focuses on speciality cuts of meat and fish, grilled over the open fire. After much back and forth we eventually settled on:
- Mixed wild mushrooms with cured egg yolk – a simple but punchy autumn dish.
- Beef tartare on a perfect, crisp golden hash brown.
- Sweetbreads in lobster gravy, which might sound like an odd combo but it absolutely worked. Top tip: save the freshly baked bread rolls to soak up the lobster gravy and juice from the mushrooms.
- A nice little celeriac and truffle pie, not too dissimilar to the cheese and onion pie we had downstairs at the pub.
- Leg of lamb with peas and charred greens, alongside a big bowl of French fries, cucumbers with dill, and carrots.
Things we really wanted to order but couldn’t physically fit in include the gigantic dressed crab from the starters and the epic duck pie topped with mashed potato.
For desserts, we finished off with an apple and blackberry crumble along with scoops of fresh vanilla ice cream.
Drink This
There’s a great wine list here, mostly on the classic side but with some interesting options like the Col Fondo Italian fizz and a silky smooth English pinot noir from The Althorne Estate in Essex.
Why Go
We’re a big fan of this group (which also includes The Pelican, The Bull at Charlbury, and side venture Canteen, recently opened on the old Pizza East site on Portobello Road, where the group is supporting but the kitchen is led by head chef Jessica Filbey) and The Grill is yet another win for them, with well executed, keenly priced dishes, and top hospitality. Definitely one to add to your hit list.
Key Information
Address | 55 Shirland Road, London, W9 2JD
For more information | theherow9.com