July 2024. Fulham (I think).
It had been deadly quiet in the back streets just north of Fulham FC as I approached the Crabtree to finish off my London mini-crawl.
And then I open the door.
And that’s the quiet bit. The restaurant is busier, the wet trade spilling out to the patio and along the Thames. I reckoned 200 punters, conservatively, with plenty of drinking space though you might end up in Hammersmith and the Dove if you walk too far upstream.
So, top marks for genuinely cheery staff and the customers approximating a line at the bar who noted I’d got there first.
You’ll be noticing the plastic glass by now. I’m still wondering what the one closest to Hepcat is; possibly the Rainville house beer. Perhaps the least inspiring pump clip of all time.
I resisted the bar snacks, but bring the menu to you so you can admire London pricing.
In fairness, the plastic glass didn’t detract too much from a pint of Landlord (NBSS 3+) which probably gained from the view, I assume of the Boat Race.
It’s a bit scruffy round here compared to Richmond, tough of course Craven Cottage itself is a peerless football ground (if you ignore the pricing).
A new experience for me, walking amongst posh Londoners on their way to the River Cafe, which I always assumed wasn’t by the river.
Great view across to Harrod’s Furniture Depository, the building from which the fatal shot was fired in 1963. Note great capture of Ryanair flight to Corfu in the clouds.
And then to Hammersmith station, via some interesting architecture,
and a statue commemorating “Capability” Brown, who we are still waiting to come to Sheffield to sort our garden out.
retiredmartin 