The Pig's Ear

This used to be the best pub in Chelsea by a mile. It still is the best looking, and has a great atmosphere. Other than this, though, it's really gone downhill. The menu is unbelievably overpriced – £18.50 for steak tartare and chips? You must be joking! And £3.75 for French fries? No thanks. You can eat much better and much less expensively at Conran's fantastic Bluebird Restaurant just round the corner. And there's good service there, too. Unfortunately I was on the receiving end of some incredibly rude and uncalled for 'service' in the Pig's Ear recently. I won't be going back; it's a real shame, a wasted opportunity.
Comment on this reader review

Claire
Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 1
Tuesday, May 06, 2008

As a lover of offal and extremities I opted for the pig's ears and the 'daily special' kedgeree. The pig's ears were edible but served with a bland, nondescript sauce -- unusual but not worthy of repetition. The kedgeree was closer to a risotto in texture -- but it too was notable its blandness. Very disappointing in taste, but a mercifully small portion. . . kedgeree is a dish that even a novice can excel with -- this effort was merely a vaguely savoury creamy rice, lacking any flavour or character. My companion pronounced the sardines to be good and the subsequent calves' liver also good, although it was presented in rather thick pieces and hence unevenly cooked -- pink is good -- red less so.
Comment on this reader review

Rob, London
Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 4
Thursday, October 11, 2007

Not much good to say about the upstairs dining room of this place. You approach through a cloud of smoke from the pub, up some narrow stairs at the back to a nice "country shabby" dining room (get a table which does not overlook the shambolic kitchen – not intended for display but door left open anyway). Starters took 35 minutes but were cleared within seconds of putting down our cutlery. The waiter's attention was concerned only with filling glasses to serve more wine and water.

The salmon starter was very good but the foie gras and apple was poor. The combination did not really work and the foie gras lost all of its richness.

Mains were only served 1hr 20 mins after sitting down, with no apologies.

The mains were both disappointing. The duck with black cabbage and jerusalem artichokes came with chard instead. It was a nice dish, but the plate, the chard and the duck were all cold. The risotto with spinach and parmesan was disgusting. It tasted very watery - with the aroma of dishwater. On leaving most of it, the waiter asked if it was ok but merely shrugged when told it was not. Even helping with coats is too much trouble for the staff here – and this is a place where starters are £9 on average and mains (without any accompaniments) are £18.

At these prices, the place was a disgrace; it would be poor at even half the price. Avoid.
Comment on this reader review

nb - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 0
Tuesday, February 20, 2007

Pub lovely (if a little smokey later on when they have to close the doors because of risk of noise disturbance to neighbours). Great range of drinks.

However, on the food front, big disappointment - twice! First time the bar menu was offputting due to pretentious, unsavoury combinations, Upon giving it a second (and final) chance (the dining room this time), my complaint about a rack of lamb that was inedible as completely laced with fat was dismissed by the chef with the comment "we always serve it like that". And no reduction was offered on the bill!
Comment on this reader review

Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 4
Saturday, July 29, 2006

Went there last night with a chum. Ate in downstairs. Food very good. Lovely free bit of bread with the mains (needed for normal appetites).

I had cod, chorizo and tongue. Lovely, especially the tongue. My chum had lamb which was fine too.

Nice place, atmos, easy to get a table on a Tuesday night at 8pm without booking, but filled up behind us.

With no starter, 2 mains, 2 deserts, coffees, cheese and pub, came to £65, which was Ok. Oh and a salad.

One niggle, the waitress and the bar man. Bar man was one of those who won't acknowledge you, but still gets your drinks. Waitress - machine gun rate of speech, says yes to everything. Leaves you the impression she either hasn't understood or is not bothered. Can't say the service was bad though apart from those idiosyncracies.
Comment on this reader review

Declan
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 7
Wednesday, May 17, 2006

I have been reccomended this restaurant several times but never got round to going - silly me!! i went for fabulous lunch on a sunny day, windows wide open, chilled out atmosphere and great food.

Very british with seasonal vegetables, the bone marrow on toast was some of the best I have had (sounds awful but its actually really good) Great service and not too pricey either. A hidden gem, and well worth a visit.
Comment on this reader review

Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Thursday, May 11, 2006

Such a hidden gem! Right around the corner from such crowded, unfriendly public school bars as the Trafalgar and hidden away from the hustle and bustle of the King's Road, the Pig's Ear is charming and cozy. There's nowhere better to sit and sip a glass of perfectly flavoured mulled wine during the holiday season, amid twinkling fairy lights and a happy bunch of twentysomething professionals. If you're thinking of hosting a drinks party or a small birthday bash, remember the Pig's Ear, as the staff will cordon off a section of the pub for you and your friends.
Comment on this reader review

CCFL04
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 8
Monday, January 16, 2006

One of the nicest Pubs in Chelsea, superb atmoshpere, friendly staff, fairly-priced oysters, great customers.

One of my all-time favourites. They also won a competition for best pub in london, can't remember exactly which organisation, but clearly deserve it.
Comment on this reader review

O. Bhute
Wednesday, September 28, 2005