Tipped

A survivor for a reason

January 02, 2009

Hudson's Winebar is a survivor...and for a very good reason.

The site, on Lower Richmond Road in Putney, saw several ventures fail one after the other before being taken over by the present incumbents, who have not only survived but prospered for many years now, serving up great value, well-cooked food.

The menu covers a few bases in terms of origins, featuring satay (with a nicely spiced peanut sauce), quesadillas, steaks, old-fashioned pies, Moroccan lamb and such.

There are daily specials, and then there are lunchtime specials, and breakfast specials and special specials and happy hour specials...

In truth, what's on offer is a broad range of culinary styles, but with a menu that changes enough to reassure that you're getting fresh rather than frozen food.

A decent range of bottled beers, a good wine list, sensible and friendly service and a quirky but cosy environment make this a regular haunt for many, which makes booking a sensible precaution.

Hudson's opens during the week at 9.30 to serve breakfasts, which are no less varied that the main menu, with the usual English type of thing vying for attention with pancakes, kippers, eggs Benedict and several other treats. Weekend opening times differ slightly, but should fit most schedules.

Happy hour is - I think - 4.00 to 7.00 or so during the week, and is marked out by offering a range of snacks at silly cheap prices to go with your drinkies.

The clientele can include middle-class Putney types with children called Rufus and Oliver, Alopeciea and Distemper and the like, so don't go if you're allergic to that kind of thing.

Otherwise...go, by all means go. It's well worth it if you're in the locale.

Keywords: cuisine: international, free wifi, happy hour, breakfast, lunch, roast dinner