The Depaul Box Company

I have to confess to having a vested interest in this, but it's a brilliant idea for a very good cause:

Depaul UK is a youth homeless charity and they've just set up the Depaul Box Company 

They sell cardboard boxes to house movers. 

100% of the profits go to helping young homeless people get off the street and stay off the street.

If you're moving house and you live anywhere in the UK, you couldn't choose a better box to pack your stuff in...

http://depaulbox.co.uk/

The Hinds Head at Bray

Yesterday we treated ourselves to a Sunday afternoon at The Hinds Head - one of Heston Blumenthal's collection of restaurants in Bray.

Although it doesn't have as many Michelin Stars as the Fat Duck, it is as cosy as can be on a winter afternoon.  Dogs are more than welcome as long as they are well-behaved, like beef served medium rare, and their owners have been prescient enough to book a table downstairs.

As you'd expect the food is excellent.  You won't find anything of the molecular gastronomy that has made Bray famous, but you will find English and French classics done really, really well.  Chicken Liver Parfait was delicious, and the Oxtail and Kidney pudding went down brilliantly with triple-cooked chips and red cabbage.

After our main course we opted for the Quaking Pudding, a very entertaining dish for its wobbliness and unique ability to combine all of the good things about panna cotta and warm apple pie with lots of cinnamon.

The wine list provided some excellent choices and the Bloody Mary that we had on arrival was the real deal, made with proper horseradish, strips of celery and lots of fresh tomatoes.

We'll be back Mr Blumenthal, that's for certain

There were several good fires on the go downstairs and we could easily have wiled away the rest of the afternoon.  But sadly London was calling...

High Street, Bray, West Berkshire, SL6 2AB

http://www.hindsheadbray.com/

The Riding House Cafe

Another day in Soho, another fantastic discovery: The Riding House Cafe.

It's one of the few places that seems to transition from being a bustling restaurant and bar on a Friday night to a sedate breakfast spot on a Saturday morning with no trouble at all.  Usually there's the faint waft of Jack Daniels that hits the back of your throat or that sinking feeling that you are sitting in the remains of someone's Margarita from the night before.

Service is snappy and the breakfast options are excellent - a plethora of choice and great smoothies and juices to offset the Full & Proper Breakfast.  There are newspapers, magazines and the like, and it's the sort of place that you could hang around all day...

...and if you've got no place else to be, from 11.30 on a Saturday you can get stuck into the brunch menu, which is a mix of breakfast classics and imaginative, fullsome dishes like red deer casserole and lobster lasagne.

Stick around until the evening and the dinner menu kicks in -varied, with more excellent main courses and cute sharing plates to start you off.

Just one note of caution: the RHC requests that you call ahead if you're coming with a dog, particularly at busy times.  The official line is that if your dog fits in a bag you'll be allowed in, but when we went nobody seemed to object to the presence of a medium-sized lurcher and the staff were all lovely.

Pictures to follow shortly.

The Riding House Cafe, 43-51 Great Titchfield Street, W1W 7PQ

http://www.ridinghousecafe.co.uk/

The Anchor Inn at Lower Froyle

In order to alleviate the gloom of January we opted for a change of scene.  Sadly the Paws on the doors team doesn't have any holiday booked for some months, not to mention the necessary pet passports etc for a trip to Barbados or St Barts, so we headed for Hampshire instead.

Lower Froyle is hidden away south of the M3, just a few miles from the South Downs, the perfect distance for a weekend break from London.

The Anchor is on the outskirts of the village surrounded by farmland so you'll find nowhere better for peace and quiet.  

Dating back to the 16th Century, everything inside is proportioned for a time when people weren't quite so tall but we soon got used to ducking and weaving our way through the bar and none of the oak beams succeeded in landing the killer blow...

Several log fires keep the place cosy and there are plenty of comfortable spots for dogs around the bar.  We spent most of our time hiding the snug before retreating upstairs.

All of the bedrooms are named after English poets and writers.  We were given the Robert Graves, which was just perfect.  A big bed, a generous armchair, and a few rugs for extra warmth made for a very comfortable night.  The £10 supplement for dogs seemed proportionate and we were made to feel very welcome indeed.


The Anchor Inn, Lower Froyle, Hampshire, GU34 4NA.

http://www.anchorinnatlowerfroyle.co.uk/anchor-home

Bishops Park in the snow

Britain is in the grip of a dose of proper winter weather.  After the drizzling mediocrity of the first few weeks of the year, a gale has blown in from Siberia and the Paws on the doors team have been making the most of it.  

Today we set off for an afternoon haring around in Bishops Park.

No business like snow business

The snow kept on coming down, and there were lots of other dogs around to join in the fun.

"I'm going outside, I may be some time..."

Lots of people had made snowmen, and we found this snow bear as well.

Is it a Polar Bear?

After we'd exhausted ourselves we trotted off to out old favourite, Tinto Coffee for a hot drink and a few hours reading the papers in the warm.

Newspaper, coffee and bonies - a classic Sunday afternoon

With the cold weather set to stick around for a few days, we're planning on enjoying it as much as we can.

Tinto Coffee, 411 Fulham Palace Road, London SW6 6SX

The Rye

Another jaunt in South East London, and another marvellous discovery for POTD.  Aptly named for a pub sitting on the edge of Peckham Rye Common, The Rye is far bigger than most pubs but still manages to feel as friendly and welcoming as anywhere you'll find.

I have to fess up to never having visited The Rye before its recent makeover and reopening earlier in the year, so I can't comment on how it has changed in the last few years, but whoever is behind the current set up has made a very good job of it indeed.  It feels like a proper drinking pub, but it's also got a great menu that seems to change almost daily.  They succeed in offering really hearty food without charging a fortune through sheer imagination and a range of dishes that doesn't include many of the well-trodden clichés of modern day pub food.

Cliché free gratin dauphinois with wild mushrooms

The staff are very friendly and dogs are well looked after with water and the odd treat for the well-behaved.

Post lunch slump

Better still for sportsfans, The Rye has all the big games on TV, but not in a way that ruins the afternoon for everyone else.  Add a selection of board games to the mix and you have something close to the perfect Sunday afternoon...

31 Peckham Rye, London, SE15 3NX 

http://www.theryepeckham.com/

Petitou

We came across Petitou whilst on our travels in South East London, and hopefully Paws on the doors will be reporting more regularly from this part of the world before too long.

On a drizzly morning there's no better place to be than behind the big glass windows looking out with the warm glow from an oversized plate of scrambled eggs and a cup of coffee.

The staff are very friendly and there's enough space for dogs to stretch out and relax.

If it it hadn't been such a horrendous day we'd have certainly enjoyed sitting outside and watching the world go by on this peaceful leafy corner of South East London.

63 Choumert Road, Peckham, SE15 4AR

The Swan

Sunday just gone was a very fine day indeed.  Blue skies and bright sunshine meant that we spent as much of the day as possible outside.  But we did find ourselves with an invitation to lunch at The Swan in Chiswick from our good friend Moet (winner of the waggiest tail contest at Chiswick House Dog Show just a few weekends ago, now a minor celebrity in these parts.)

One swan, many dogs

The Swan is in fact quite a long way from the river so you are unlikely to see any real swans there, but there are plenty of dogs.  In fact I'd go as far as to say that of all the dog friendly places we've visited in the last year or so, this is the one place where you might feel a bit left out if you don't have a hound in tow.  

"Will one portion of bangers and mash be enough?"

The Swan looks like a proper pub.  Oak panelling, the original stained-glass windows, and a roaring fire inside give it a timeless charm. 

No UPVC in sight

There's a garden that's full of life at the back.  Hanging baskets and window boxes at the front of the pub are well tended, and the patrons are decent enough not to use them as ashtrays.

The menu is full of variety.  Everything that comes out of the kitchen looks like the result of a bit of imagination.   We had an excellent pork terrine as a starter, followed by home made fishcakes and bangers and mash which were both very good.  The Sunday Roast seemed a justifiably popular choice.  

Being as it was such a nice day we had lunch and then went to make the most of the remainder of the afternoon, but we could quite easily have whiled away the rest of the day on the battered sofas by the fire which will be an inviting prospect in the months ahead...

1 Evershed Walk, 119 Acton Lane, Chiswick, W4 5HH

http://www.theswanchiswick.co.uk/

Pubs dogs love

You might have seen the front cover of Time Out last week:

All well and good, but they forgot to mention whether any of them were dog-friendly or not.  Therefore here's my definitive top 10:

North

The Hollybush Inn, Hampstead: Cosy fireside drinking and quality meaty stodge like sausage rolls and pies.  

The Wells, Hampstead: A great spot after running about on Hampstead Heath.  Dog treats on the menu and a wonderful sun-trap.

South

The East Hill, Wandsworth: Great food and dog treats on the menu.  Now that's what I call customer service.

The Fox and Grapes, Wimbledon: An old favourite with excellent food and a warm welcome after a bracing afternoon hunting for Wombles.

East

The Albion, Barnsbury: Great garden in the summer and delicious hearty food like pot roast chicken and whole roast leg of lamb.

Sadly we haven't spent enough time out East to make further recommendations, but Paws on the doors will be there before too long to make sure that we will be better placed to do so.

West

The Dove, Hammersmith: Enjoy the evening rays during the summer or get cosy by the fire during the winter months.

The Atlas, West Brompton: Oak panelled cosyness and a nice fire in winter.  Great homespun food and nothing pretentious...

The Chamberlayne, Kensal Rise: King of steak, master of bearnaise sauce.  I require very little to convince me for a trip North by Northwest.

Wild cards (not quite London)

The Griffin, Fletching: Just over an hour in the car on a good day.  The perfect escape from the city.  Imaginative food and cosy rooms.  If you're planning on staying overnight do warn them that you are bringing a hound...

The King John Inn, Tollard Royal: Homely pub and well-proportioned rooms with extra comfortable beds.  In the middle of nowhere - very quiet, and brilliant for it.

So there you have it.  We'll publish an updated top 10 at the same time next year.

Tapped and Packed Coffee

It's doggycinos all round at No. 26 Rathbone Place.  One of three Tapped and Packed Coffee shops in the West End, it's a welcome respite from the travails of Oxford Street, where dogs really don't get much of a warm welcome.

"Mine's a yak's milk macchiato. Drink in..."

At Tapped and Packed Coffee they couldn't be more hospitable.  Calm, cool people make the coffee and throughout the day there are excellent eats for breakfast, lunch and afternoon tea.  

Repeat visits suggest that the ham and cheese croissants will see off any mid-morning tummy rumbles, the banana bread is world class, and the Victoria sponge well worth the consequent mid-afternoon dip in productivity as all the blood rushes to your stomach to deal with the onslaught of sugar.

26 Rathbone Place, W1T 1JD

114 Tottenham Court Road, W1T 5AH

193 Wardour street, W1F 8ZF

http://www.tapcoffee.co.uk/

Brown Dog

Well it would be a silly name for a pub if it wasn’t dog friendly.  Actually the Brown Dog is more than dog-friendly it’s frankly dog-adoring and judging by some other reviews out there this gets right up the nose of that strange breed of people that think a pub with food is no place for a hound.  The pub dog, Willow, is as welcoming a landlady as you’re ever likely to find and much classier than most!  I imagine the Polaroid pictures of regulars that makes up the Rogue’s Gallery – canine only – was her idea.  Presumably they have their usual basket at the end of the bar and a special pewter water bowl reserved just for them, I like to think that Teazle aspires to being a regular somewhere and now I’ve got the theme tune to Cheers stuck in my head.

Anyway, back to the Brown Dog.  Tucked away down a residential side street in deepest Barnes, it isn’t the easiest place to find, but the fact that it’s close to the river and not far from Richmond Park makes this a great spot for warming up after a long walk.  The menu is pretty interesting with plenty of choice and some more adventurous options than your bog standard pub but for those unconvinced by the gastro-pub revolution you’ll be pleased to hear that this place also has a great bar area with plenty of tables for anyone just looking for a quiet pint without the fancy food…

All in all a good little find that we stumbled on purely by chance one dreary evening.

28 Cross Street, SW13 OAP

http://www.thebrowndog.co.uk/

Charley Chau

Whilst doing some early present shopping at the Spirit of Christmas fair (an event highly unsuitable for dogs, and capable of testing the resolve of most human beings too...) we came across a stall belonging to the rather excellent Charley Chau.

Set up by sisters Christine and Jenny just over two years ago, Charley Chau make all kinds of dog accessories, including handmade wicker baskets, pure new wool blankets, Italian calf leather collars in imaginative colours, and their star product - the snuggle bed.  For those of you struggling to imagine what a snuggle bed might be it's essentially a big soft pillow with a toasty pocket that dogs can crawl into for a really cosy night's sleep.  (Those still struggling to imagine, watch this)

Teasel has added a snuggle bed to the top of her Christmas list, but I haven't had the courage to tell her that I'll be commissioning a bespoke on that I can sleep in before I buy one for her...

http://www.charleychau.com/

The Brown Cow

A new and welcome addition to a stretch of the Fulham Road that’s always lacked a nice local place with good food.  The Brown Cow is a sister pub to the Sands End (reviewed here some months ago) and it’s certainly keeping up with it’s big sister when it comes to food and might even be surpassing her on the décor front.  

It’s a cosy corner spot, not really a pub – it’s definitely more on the gastro side - but it was warm and welcoming on a particularly nasty late October evening. 

"More Scotch Eggs, please"

Teazle was keen on the home made Scotch Eggs and was pleased to be offered a big bowl of water.  After a taste of the Rib Eye she stretched out under the table for an hours’ kip while we polished off a few bottles of red in preparation for the cold walk home.

676 Fulham Road, SW6 5SA

http://www.thebrowncowpub.co.uk/

The High Road Brasserie

We set out to visit fabled Pizza spot Franco Manca having heard great things about it, but we got them on a bad day.  It was chaotic, the staff were fairly unfriendly, and didn't seem at all interested in helping to seat us on a table away from the road and in a place where a dog would be happy and not get in the way.  In fact once they saw that we had a dog they kind of lost interest in helping us at all.  We were offered a table closest to the door (as ever the busiest, most inconvenient place for a dog to be) on the promise that it would be cleared shortly, but nobody seemed to be in any rush to do so.

So we gave up and walked a few doors down Chiswick High Road to The High Road Brasserie where the staff were twice as busy but one hundred times more friendly and helpful, making the rushed folks at Franco Manco look rather silly.  If you come here with a dog you'll have to sit outside, but don't let that put you off.

We were given a table in a quiet spot where our dog could sit in peace, and the waiting staff were quick to say hello and offer us all a drink.

The food was great.  Small tapas plates as a starter (3 for £12) and a very generous bavette for just £9 made for a very economical night out.  

It was a warm evening and we decided to stroll home, passing Franco Manca. Still not that busy. Still looking distinctly unfriendly.

162-166 Chiswick High Road, W4 1PR

http://brasserie.highroadhouse.co.uk/

The Serpentine Bar & Kitchen

Today the Serpentine Bar & Kitchen will take the World Stage as the Olympic open water swimmers splash past it at great speed.

It deserves a mention as a great dog-friendly spot if you're walking through the Hyde Park.  All kinds of hot and cold drinks, delicious breakfast for early risers, and a well stocked bar for sundowners, there's no finer place for watching wild fowl coming and going on the Serpentine.  Particular highlights include Swans taking off and Canada Geese attacking tourists...

Dogs are welcome on the large terrace but not allowed inside, and there are sections covered by a canopy that looks kind of spacey in case it's raining. Drinking bowls are always full and the staff are very friendly.

Serpentine Road, Hyde Park, London, W2 2UH

http://www.serpentinebarandkitchen.com/index-ser

The Orange

Pimlico leaves dog owners facing something of a dilemma.  Acres of residential streets dotted with expensive restaurants, very few of which are dog-friendly.

The Orange is a welcome exception.  Technically a pub, but highly accomplished if you are nice bar snack or a sit down meal, The Orange is friendly and buzzing throughout the year.  In summer there are tables on the pavement that get sun until mid-evening. Sit there with your dog and a glass of rose and wait for a break in the traffic along Pimlico Road and you might even believe that you are in Provence (you'll probably have to close your eyes too.)

It's a very dog-friendly place.  The staff are always keen to come and say hello to new faces and will offer you a dog bowl and some water even if you don't ask for it.

The only thing that you might need to be careful about is the proximity of Pimlico Road - unless your hound is very well behaved it would be unwise to let them off the lead here...

37 Pimlico Road, London, SW1W 8NE

http://www.theorange.co.uk

The Sands End Pub

The Sands End has gained a reputation for really excellent food and wine in recent years, but despite that it still has the atmosphere of a good old friendly pub.  Dogs are made to feel very welcome and usually you are allowed to sit anywhere.


There are a few tables outside on the pavement which are good for sunny afternoons and warm evenings.  Inside it's cosy and homely.  There's an area that feels more restauranty towards the back, but we felt like sitting near the bar where there happened to be several other dogs.  The staff were very eager to please and seemed really happy to see a four-legged customer with a wet nose and a waggy tail.


If you're anything like us you'll find the range of bar snacks particularly exciting - large sausage rolls and other home-made treats that should be consumed in moderation by both dogs and their owners!




135-137 Stephendale Road, London, SW6 2PR


http://www.thesandsend.co.uk/

The Cat's Back

When there's live music on the Cat's Back could be a little overwhelming for dogs, but at any other time a it's a rewarding experience.

The whole place feels very genuine.  There's always some interesting real ale on tap, most of it local.  An assortment of interesting furniture and a roaring coal fire ensure that the atmosphere is anything but sterile.  


It's cosy and welcoming in a way that so many places struggle to be in the era of the soulless gastropub makeover.

The food feels equally unfussy - it's all genuine pub food and the hearty roast on Sundays is generous and not too pretentious.

There always seem to be a few dogs around, making for a sociable environment that feels positively dog-friendly rather than just being dog-tolerant.  Hats off to the Cat's Back...


86-88 Point Pleasant, Wandsworth, London SW18 1PP


http://www.thecatsback.com/

The Elgin

The area around Ladbroke Grove Station feels unpromising for dog owners until you step into The Elgin. 


Another Geronimo Inn (see here and here), The Elgin does excellent pub food and dogs are welcome, no matter where you want to sit inside. Just be careful not to position yourself too close to the drum kit on live music nights!


The recent refurbishment is particularly sympathetic to our four-legged friends with warm carpeted areas proving a more attractive proposition than wooden flooring on cold blustery days.


And in the summer months the outside tables on both sides are excellent for people-watching.

96 Ladbroke Grove, London, W11 1PY http://www.geronimo-inns.co.uk/theelgin/

The King John Inn

There are many good things to say about this quiet spot on the Wiltshire/Dorset border.


Although not all of the rooms are dog friendly, as long as you let them know in advance, bringing a dog for an overnight stay shouldn't be a problem. 


A very cosy dog blanket and water bowl will be waiting for you on arrival, and the rooms are simply top-notch. The large comfy bed and enormous bath tub were memorable features on a wet and cold weekend.


The restaurant is 100% dog friendly and the wafts of delicious gamey dishes come out of the kitchen door with suitable regularity to make stopping at the bar for a quiet drink nigh-on impossible.


There's a roaring fire and ample space for dogs who like to stretch out on the floor.  Winos should note that the King John Inn has an excellent cellar, and a wine shop on site should you find anything so good that you want to take it home.


The surrounding area is great for walking with the rolling green hills of Cranborne Chase all around you and the bracing sea air of Lulworth Cove about half an hour away by car.


The King John Inn, Tollard Royal, Wiltshire, SP5 5PS

http://www.kingjohninn.co.uk/