The Mansion, Gipsy Hill

This pub has been under new management for a few weeks. I�ve been there couple of times since the new management took it and yes, I can see they are still in a settling-in phase, but I was impressed by the effort the staff put in to give me and my friend a good time. We had a meal and I had an absolutely excellent rib eye steak cooked to perfection. The staff were often around our table to ensure we were ok with everything. The menu is very inspiring and different from the usual predictable pub menus. The music they play is a little too middle-of-the-roady but the atmosphere seems right� even though their attempts to make the pub look minimalist has resulted in it looking a little too empty. I�m sure this pub is on its way to be excellent, just give them a chance to settle in.

3 Apr 2008 08:48

The Mansion, Gipsy Hill

There is a lovely elegant relaxed atmosphere created by the lovely staff, the right level of music, the fire place and the very interesting d�cor which I don�t know how to define. There are candles, curtains, purple lampshades and a piano. It�s very spacious but it feels very cosy and welcoming. There are sofas as well as a proper sitting area like a restaurant. It offers a good selection of drinks and the attitude of the staff seems well balanced between professional and casual. Perfect to make you feel welcome and comfortable for whatever occasion you are there, being a party, a date or just a drink.

The food, produced in the open plan kitchen, seems of a high standard. It�s not just traditional gastro pub food but it has a bit of personality too. In these days it seems that the smaller are the portions and the trendier is the restaurant, but in here portions seem fair.

The only criticism I wish to express, utterly for constructive purposes, relates to the way the bill was presented. My friends and I were still catching up with life events when suddenly the lights were turned on and the waitress put the bill in front of me saying: �This is your bill�. That kind of destroyed a little bit all the effort the staff had been putting on throughout the evening to create such a nice atmosphere. A more gentle way would have been to approach me before and say something like: We are now closing and we will turn on the lights so we can start cleaning the bar. Do you mind if I print your bill so we can cash up the tills?�

In conclusion, I highly recommend it.

24 Oct 2007 12:49