please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
The Durell Arms was our first stop of the day. We'd started in the posher end of this part of London. This place is a short hop from Parson's Green tube on the Fulham Road. Whilst it's a Greene King pub, you wouldn't particularly notice it. Plenty of tables were reserved for diners. So there's clearly a focus on food. But there were 4 ales and some craft-type beers too. Greene King IPA was supplemented by Adnams Old Ale, Windsor & Eton Zinzan's Ale and something called Squirrel Ale. Not too far from Chelsea's football ground. But not somewhere I'd rush back to.
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I have been coming to this pub for quite a few years, even before it went all gastro and used to have a pizza kitchen and a pool table.
Experiences have tended to vary between ok to great, but my most recent visit suggests this pub is now in safe hands and I would wholeheartedly recommend a visit.
We reserved the big room at the back for a Leaving Party and the Manager and staff could not have done more to accommodate us.
We were a relatively large group with around 50 adults and 13 babies/small children for a Saturday afternoon event - everything we asked for was handled perfectly by the Pub's lovely people - the food that was laid on was excellent and for zero hire fee or minimum spend guarantee we were bowled over.
If you are looking to reserve a room for any kind of event/party then i don't think you can do better than The Durrell. Top stuff.
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Best pub in Fulham.
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I don't think this pub has ever known what it has wanted to be. Maybe its the size of the place, but it has always seemed a little anonymous and cheerless. Similar to having a drink in an empty airport departure lounge. A little pricey too. Maybe the new management will add some needed warmth and friendliness.
eddyd - 24 Aug 2010 11:09 |
They wouldn't give me any gravy to go with my roast dinner as our "allocation" had already been used up by the other 10 people on our table. We must have easily spent �200 in there between us; really mean. Had to eat a dry roast lunch. Will never give them a penny of my money again.
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The last year has seen the Durell transform, aesthetically. Where once bland and ageing, it now looks really nice and a lot of care and effort has gone in to a comprehensive refurbishment. The toilets still leave a lot to be desired but aside from that, it feels like a good place to be. On a weekend, after what seems like countless changes in management, there finally seems to be some consistency here with a good quality band playing at weekends (although disappointingly, bog standard commercial cheese replaces them when finished)
Aside from the look, there are one or two issues here. This is a pricey place to drink - you don't have to travel much further down the road to find places significantly cheaper than here. It's not all about cost, granted, but I've drunk in Mayfair for cheaper than it costs here, so they definitely lose points for overpricing their alcohol. Additionally, the food is average - nothing special here.
I'd suggest it as a place to have a drink or two but don't plan on leaving without having spent more than you probably should on a night out if you spend any longer.
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Dull pub/barn hybrid which struggles to cope with large crowds. Good beer, but loses points for slightly offhand, harrassed service/
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Dear w.fulminate_keenly,
As a lifelong fan of customer feedback I'd like to thank you for sharing your thoughts on your afternoon with us last Sunday. So often when things go wrong in this line of work people will leave never to return, so I am always grateful for objective views on what myself & the team do in the ongoing persuit to get it right every time. Although I'd like to be bold enough to say that we do, I'm aware that in being people, we are fallible. And where I think we always aim to exceed expectations, for you this has obviously not been the case. Furthermore I am keen to apologise for this grievance to you and your guests; in person if possible? (I would usually aim to resolve any issues at the time but as you remained annonymous on the day I have had to turn Columbo...) It would be wonderful if you could contact me at your convenience so we can establish some form of recompense for your bad experience - and allow my team to demonstrate the high standards to which they usually deliver.
Kind Regards,
Laura Carr
General Manager
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A pub that looks like it could offer so much, but when it comes down to it merely serves up the hostelry equivalent of a steaming turd. Note: you can't polish those.
Despite the fantastic HD projector and large area in which to enjoy it, you just can't help going to this pub and coming away astonished with how lackadaisical the management are.
Case in point:
A friend of mine ordered a roast leg of lamb.....Roast beef arrived.....not too much of a problem there I hear you counter, 'just send it back and ask for the lamb'.....not so simple at the Durell.....
Upon telling the pitiful excuse of a waiter that they'd unfortunately got the order wrong, he countered with 'no, that is lamb'....to which, of course not only my friend but also myself and other companions made it clear that it obviously was not a leg of lamb. It carried on like this for a bit until our waiter told us that he doesn't 'even eat lamb'. Well, obviously that's how he knows what a lamb shank looks like!
Truly, the staff here a morons and rude to boot.
Unfortunately I know I'll be going there again, if only out of laziness more than anything else. Let's hope they've pulled their fingers out.
Having said all that, I'm certainly looking forward to a spot of backgammon on the train one of these days!
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What can i say. food much improved very nice steaks, not tried the carve your own roast yet on Sundays but will do. Staff much better still some a bit sleepy i must say. But on the hole much better.
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This has got to be one of the worst pubs that it is ever ones misfortune to visit both in terms of management and clientele.
We went here to watch the England v Andorra football match tonight and we were initially pleased to occupy an unreserved table set back from the large screen. However after more than 40 minutes in situ watching the match we were informed by a customer that the entire area had been booked for a private party - and yet there was no prior indication of this or that our table had been reserved. Accordingly and quite naturally upon being requested to move by the same customer following a late influx of his friends also trying to move us on and blocking our view of the screen we held our ground only for my colleague to be eventually told by a bar person that unless we moved the pub would refuse to serve us - although at least this never transpired doubtless as they realised their mistake in not previously reserving our table or indeed the area. We held out at our table until the end of the match despite the apparent party-goers blocking our view (they clearly had no interest in the match whatsoever).
However following the end of the match we enquired of other customers at adjacent tables as to whether they were part of a private party - 14 people that we asked near to us in the same area denied any knowledge of a private party or being a part thereof!!
Needless to say this is not a pub that we shall be returning to in our area and we will definitely be advising other locals against visiting in future. We shall be writing in to the owners and the licensee(s) to complain - but the latter may prove difficult as they do not apparently conform to the UK licensing law in displaying such information above the door to the premises!!
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Very poor service. Doesn't look as nice in real life as it does on their website. We had booked a table for 3pm, when we went to order they said that the kitchen had closed despite website and blackboards stating they were open for food all day (and despite accepting our booking). They did in fact take our order, but despite there being absolutely noone else eating we had to wait over half an hour for our food. Admittedly the food itself was quite good when it arrived but the lack of service spoiled the whole meal.
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For a large open space it is very cozy, if that makes any sense. lots of dark wood and light walls, low lighting and candles. drink prices are fairly standard for this area, good spirit range ( millers gin, a rare find ), they seemed to have stayed away from the normal pub brands and put a bit of thought into their collection. food was good ( the wife and i both had the burger , which was fresh and flavourful ).
All in all a very pleasant place and looking forward to spending a long hot summer in the garden.
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I like, I like, I like. It's gone through a bit of a trasnformation of late and it is far removed from it's grotty old self. Nice people behind the jump and welcoming too. It spins my wheels.
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I was there last weekend for my birthday and had a whale of a time. Pub is big so all 20 of us could sit - the back area had the sun streaming in - and they had some quality draft lagers - Cobra and Kirin. Bar staff were pretty lenient (thanks to them) and they had DJ's on later. I'd recommend it.
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Went down here with some mates last Saturday ended up staying for more than a couple of beers as we had planed. Alcohol was reasonably priced compared to the area. DJ played a mixture of music from 80�s to House. Managed to stumble out of the play at 1 AM.
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Went in to this place on Bank Holiday Monday with a friend. The pub was dead, nearly empty with very little going on. Normally would have gone in search of a more lively place but they had the cricket on the big screen out the back. So my friend and I sat down with a couple of pints looking forward to an afternoon watching the test. After about ten minutes the screen went blank, so I went over to be asked what had happened?
Was told that they'd "decided to put on a film on the DVD".
Now no-one else in the place was watching the test, but then again there was hardly anyone in. We moved away from the big screen and watched as they played some trailers. No-one in the pub moved to watch the film, no-one seemed to come in to watch it, it isn't advertised that they show films (or at least I couldn't see any notices). We sat there finishing our pints slightly mystified.
When we left they still hadn't started to show the film and no-one seemed remotely interested in the prospect of a film. I mean they weren't about to make loads of money off me and my friend, but surely as the place was empty they shouldn't be driving customers away? Also, as my friend pointed out, we didn't think you were allowed to show DVDs in public places without license? They may have one, but nowhere was it advertised (that we could see) that they had a cinema in the back.
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Avoid this pub! Used to drink here before the refurb and at least it was a lively place serving decent pizzas, live sport and 3 pool tables. It's trying to be something it's not. Went for a Sunday roast as everywhere else was full and the beef was so rare it was mooing, bleeding and fatty. The vegetables were undercooked as well. The pool tables have now gone, the new booths are uncomfortable, the eastern-european barman tried to overcharge me on my order and I saw him come out a toilet cubicle without washing his hands before he went to serve people!
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Shocking, shocking shocking! Big open place with 4,843 lights (I counted them). Too bright and cavernous. No atmosphere at all and frequented by slightly over weight former wannnie-be Sloany Ponies. It's just a bit embarassing when you are there and looking for a decent pint in a good pub. Left after two to give it a chance....
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Another victim of the poncey Fulham makeover, looked like Del and Rodney were let loose with that battleship grey paint again.
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Thanks god they've changed this place! The old Durrell with its 2-4-1 pizzas was hell - poor standard food, poor beer, poor clientele, poor place. Anyway, the new refurb in some improvement, only stayed for a drink but seemed okay. Only problem is that its a big place and the centre at the front always seems a bit too open meaning it doesn't have much atmosphere. I await other peoples' comments on the general standard.
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nice refurb
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Good little pub we need to support independant pubs like this check out a couple on Fulham Rd which is fast becoming the place to be! 2-4-1 pizzas on a monday night at this pub are great!
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Average pub. Good for a quiet pint or two but doesn't do anything to make you want to stay.
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great pub, even better food, pool tables and usually a free seat. pub is divided into sections so you can go as a couple, with a few mates or even a large group without feeling crushed in.
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this was a top pub back in the day for a pre rave drink.not a bad pub now good food nice girls top tunes and in the summer can sit outside and look at all the fantastic fulham crumpet on fulham road.
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Great place , great service , food and not too posh....
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Open till midnight weekends, nuff said, then hit Havana's on the Broadway innit.
sashito - 6 Jul 2004 15:17 |
Has got 2 for 1 pizzas on pretty much every Monday night which guarantees a great mix of locals looking for a cheap feed, good lauch and a few beers.
mark - 28 Jun 2004 14:40 |
Pizzas are surprisingly good here.
Dan - 29 Sep 2003 22:18 |
Top pub, good mix of people. Shows all the sporting events and has 3 pool tables. Serves decent food and the drinks are cheaper than the Pitcher & Piano across the road. An unknown jewell on the cnr of Fulham rd & Munster rd. Comfy couches aswell!!
Gino - 14 May 2003 15:55 |
