Game On! At The Hunter's Moon
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Since opening in 2019, The Hunter’s Moon, the neighborhood pub on Fulham Road from the Lunar Pub Company, has earned a reputation for its signature Pithiviers (a round, enclosed pie usually made by baking two disks of puff pastry), featuring seasonal fillings like smoked ham hock with Gruyère or butternut squash with sage. This dish has quickly become a favorite among regulars, with limited availability each day.
On entering the bar on a September evening, the pub at the front with its cosy nooks and comfy aged leather armchairs looked so welcoming it was tempting to just sit down there and eat from the bar menu. But knowing there was puff pastry just a few steps away meant we pushed on into the airy dining room at the back. The homely decor featured an original Aga, some antlers and an open fireplace along with large skylights and modern chandeliers.
The friendly manager James said that The Hunter's Moon has a mixed clientelle in the summer with neighbours and tourists both enjoying it's ambience and then as the nights draw in, it becomes a popular venue for the locals. The night we visited, there was a mixture of ages and group sizes dotted around in the booths and on the banquettes with an excellent sound level, meaning you could actually hear your dining companion which, as the years go by, is always a relief.
We started with a burrata accompanied by crispy violet artichokes, fennel, fregola and salsa verde. On the side was some of the most amazingly fresh focaccia - a huge focaccia loaf was sat on the Aga and the team cut it to order and how they resisted eating it en route to the table, I don't know. The other starter we tried was the salt and pepper squid with saffron aioli and green chilli. Both these starters were beautifully executed and prettily presented and while generous, not too excessive to leave room for the main course.
And what a main course. A dome of the crispest, goldest, most delicate puff pastry encasing partridge, chicken and leek in a creamy sauce sat on top of some incredibly indulgent truffled celeriac purée and was topped with a partridge breast with onion and hispi cabbage on the side and a nice splash of red wine and truffle jus. The contrast of the soft filling with the crispy outer was just divine and the addition of the mash made it sublime.
The really lovely and friendly waitress Hannah encouraged us to
try the affogato corretto to finish with and she was right. A ball of lovely vanilla ice cream in a pretty brandy glass came with a side of espresso and an Amaretto shot and was a perfect end to a delicious meal.
We had a bottle of the recommended Fantini Farnese Organic Montepulciano to go with the meal.
There are a few days left of the September pithivier but if you can't make it, then the October version will be with pheasant, November is mixed game and the December one is venison.
The Hunter's Moon also has an Oyster Happy Hour. Head along from Tuesday to Thursday between 5pm and 7pm, and indulge in some delectable Jersey Royal oysters at half price! So if you crave oysters and love a bargain, this is one for you.
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September 25, 2024
