The East Hill

Lazy Sunday afternoons are the best. Add to the mix a chic (and cosy) pub with large windows letting in gorgeous rays of sunshine, a delicatessen-savvy gastro menu, a group of friends and a scrabble board and you have my idea of a wonderful weekend lunch.

Taking the opportunity to scope out one of the recently refurbished pubs in the Geronimo Inns collection (see www.geronimo-inns.co.uk) I made a reservation for eight of my nearest and dearest for Sunday at 2pm. Come Saturday that number had dwindled to six and after a change in the clocks and a few nasty hangovers my party was down to three. Boyfriend, best friend and me.

The staff were incredibly friendly, although absent at times, and the décor truly charming. Imagine country comfort, with mixes of floral and worn leather reclining chairs, couches and bare-wooden tables. It’s French-provincial without trying too hard and the menu is similarly paid back.

The highlight would have been sharing their signature banoffee pie (that we’d being jealously eyeing at other diner’s tables); however, our order was placed too late so we went with a white chocolate and dark cherry bread and butter pudding – three spoons!

As we devoured our dessert a riveting three-letter-average game of scrabble ensued… Hold back judgments please.

Venue: The East Hill
Where: 21 Alma Rd, Wandsworth SW18 1AA