Phil P.
Yelp
I had a dinner here with two business associates last night. The D&F is essentially a pub turned restaurant, but it retains some London pub character with high ceilings, a long bar with a good beer selecton including real ales, and an open-plan, relaxed atmosphere. As the other reviewers mention there are several dining areas where groups can have a space to themselves yet still be connected to the general atmosphere. The food was generally pretty good - I had a Caesar salad starter which was very nice, well presented, and just the right size. For desert I chose a gourmet ice cream selection which was also great, although slathered with a little too much whipped cream (why do restaurants imagine we want cream on cream?). The only disappointment was my main course, the house special steak pie. Unfortunatley the pastry was soggycrust not shortcrust, and the mash, I am sad to say, distinctly tasted like it was instant, with a firm, dry and slightly gritty texture. I hope it wasn't, but it wasn't fresh and buttery like it was supposed to be. That said, my companions had slow roast pork which was lovely, and a really tasty and well presented gourmet burger.
So for a relaxed, pub-style evenig out with a touch of Wimbeldon chic and not too pricey, this place is fine and I would come again, although not to have the pie.