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The Spencer may have dropped the 'Arms' from its name, but they are still proudly painted on the grey-green walls of this large corner pub. Mismatched wooden tables complete the predictable shabby-chic look. In summer, you can sit out on Putney Common: not London's most impressive green space, but a calm enough spot in which to enjoy a pint of London Pride or Landlord, or, more likely, a glass of something from the extensive wine list.
When ordering food, our advice would be to stick with the main courses - there are plenty to choose from, whether you're after a quality burger or something more sophisticated - as starters and desserts seem a bit uninspiring. A grilled half-chicken (free-range, of course) with lemon and garlic was lip-smackingly juicy, and came with a mountain of skinny chips. Monkfish and chorizo brochette on a hillock of not-very-herby tabouleh looked quite sad in comparison. Despite a focus on the grill, vegetarians are well catered for, with a halloumi burger/meat-free roast on Sundays and several pastas and salads. Friendly Aussie waiting staff add to the lively, down-to-earth vibe that characterises this neighbourhood hangout.
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What is 'following'?Transport Putney Bridge tube or Putney rail or bus 22, 265, 485
020 8788 0640
Open 11am-midnight Mon-Sat; 11am-11pm Sun. Lunch served noon-3pm, dinner served 6-10pm Mon-Sat. Meals served noon-9pm Sun
Main courses £8.95-£24.50
Credit cards AmEx, MC, V
Facilities
Tables outdoors ( 12, pavement ), Babies and children welcome ( until 9pm: high chairs; nappy-changing facilities ), Disabled ( toilet )Tried the Spencer at the weekend and had such a lovely time I thought I'd encourage others to go there. The new owners seem to have settled in and the staff are really friendly and helpful. The food was extraordinarily good honest pub food with an inventive few twists, without being pretentious - there's a very fine line and they have got it SO right here. Maybe it was helped by the wine and my friends, but I can't wait to get back there! The prawn cocktail is proper old-school prwan cocktail with lovely tangy pink sauce, the monkfish was cooked to perfection and so meaty with balanced sauces that really work and the vanilla panna cotta was the standard you'd expect in a far more expensive establishment!!! Seriously, go and try it - especially when the weather is nice, you'll not regret it!!
It's been my regular for some time but have always had a problem with the quality of the staff. Then today I encountered various lame excuses for short measuring in a plastic brim glass. If it's a brim glass the beer (not including the head) should be to the brim. They serve it at least 12mm short as a result. At around £4.30 a pint that's probably around 40p I'm being overcharged. When I complained I was given excuses such as ‘customers expect a head’, ‘the head keeps the beer cold’ and 'if I'd asked they would have topped it up'. I do not want to have to ask to get what I paid for. The glass glasses have pint lines and are served correctly but this experience has seriously p****d me off.
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