the garrison, london se1

many months ago, when i was detoxing, i had supper with friends at the garrison, a gastropub in bermondsey, which i’d heard many good things about.

i had a disappointing meal – my blue cheese and walnut salad had no blue cheese in it (they’d run out and didn’t think to let me know) and the walnuts were large and untoasted which meant they had that slightly soapy taste that raw walnuts have. the fish dish that i chose, trying to navigate my detox rules of healthy eating, was smothered in a rich buttery sauce rather than being the light healthy dish i’d been told it was by the waiter.

no matter though, it was an enjoyable evening in a charming setting (visit their website to get a sense of the decor) with good service and the company provided many reasons to be happy.

my visit at the weekend, for lunch, was much better as this time the food lived up to expectations, as well as the company. 2pm on a saturday lunchtime and the pub was quiet enough that we could get a table without a reservation. most people there were eating rather than just drinking and with all windows open and the sun shining in it was a lovely place to wile away a few hours.

i started with mussels in a creamy sauce with a good chilli kick. the mussels were large, full of flavour and fabulously fresh. my friend taz started with the blue cheese and walnut salad, served with a pear chutney and much more successful this time round. we both had burgers to follow which were delicious as were the chips made from skin-on potatoes. a plate of ripe cheeses to follow, with oat biscuits and more of that pear chutney, finished things up nicely.

add 4 glasses of wine and we had a bill of £60 between us. i’m already planning a return visit and hoping that this, my second experience, is the truly reflective one.

the garrison

99 bermondsey street se1 3xb
www.thegarrison.co.uk

if you’re planning a party the garrison’s basement room is worth checking out – you can have a seated meal, canapés or ask them to transform it into a mini cinema (20 people for a screening).