The Hand in Hand Wimbledon closed for a while, while it undertook a massive refurbishment. I visited to see the changes and try the new menu.
The iconic pub on Wimbledon Common has been a go to pub for many of us locals for years. Recently they had a huge amount of work to give it a facelift and open up new areas.
There is now the new bakery section which is lovely space for dinner separate from the main pub. It is an area I would love to hire out for events with friends and family when we want a special celebration meal. Being away from the main pub gives you a great privacy but the great atmosphere is carried through.
It’s the cutest pub and the new bakery area is in the front part of the pub over looking the green full of sun lovers enjoying a beer. One of the best things about the pub is its lovely cottage atmosphere. You can feel miles away from the business of London whilst being so close.
The Hand in Hand have a great range of beers and also create the classics for summer like the Aperol Spritz.
The Kitchenalia
What I loved about The Hand in Hand was all the little decorative bits around the pub. Especially the kitchenalia! I loved the old scales, baking trays, milk churns, rolling pins and even old metal icing sets. All little pieces I would love to own in my own house one day! Cute kitchen pieces from the past.
As it was such beautiful spring evening and the sun was shining I went for the Aperol Spritz to enjoy with my meal. In the sunshine is was like a beacon for summer drinks and sunshine.
I loved my visit to The Hand in Hand Wimbledon. It’s so beautiful inside. The perfect backdrop for family dinners, celebration drinks or just some quality time with someone you love after work.
Time for Starters.
Our hostess with the mostess Jess recommend items off the menu and we decided to go with everything she suggested.
First up was the Potted Devon crab served with pickles, seaweed & wild garlic mayo with lightly toasted sourdough.
It was sublime. The crab was delicious. Light but packed full of taste.
It was so fresh and creamy and had a beautiful and distinctive crab flavour. The amazing chefs at The Hand in Hand I think are geniuses for pairing it with garlic mayo and the pickles. A genius unity in flavours. It showed how well the menu had been considered and constructed to work together plate by plate.
Sourdough bread has such a wonderful flavour anyway but I loved how the garlic mayo complimented it with the crab smeared on it too.
Have you ever tried Angus Hanger?
Jess also recommended the Seared Angus Hanger with Lincolnshire poacher & rocket salad.
The beautifully tender steak was flash fried with salt and pepper and served with fresh rocket. Topped with the Lincolnshire poacher cheese and drizzle of lemon and oil dressing on the top.
It was the most succulent steak I’ve never had. It melted in the mouth. The lemon drizzle dressing with the soft steak coated with pepper and the green freshness of the rocket. I found it delectable.
This is the most perfect spring and summer evening dish. I couldn’t recommend this more. It was such a pleasure.
Serving up the Main Dishes at The Hand in Hand Wimbledon
It’s very well known locally that The Hand in Hand Wimbledon make the most incredible pies.
So of course we had to try the most recommend one of the menu – the ultimate pork pie. It was the Cider Braised rare breed pork belly & Bramley apple.
The pie itself was huge and made of the most crispy and flaky pastry whilst still being soft enough to tuck into. It was golden brown, piping hot and the smell was incredible. It was served with the fluffiest mash and vegetables plus a pot of gravy ready for you to pour over.
The pie was so full of meat you didn’t really need the mash and veg. However it was still devoured. The pie was plenty big enough and would have been wonderful just on it’s own with a bit of gravy.
Inside the pie there was chunky cuts of pork, squishy and moreish apple and with the drizzle of gravy topped it off.
Like everything at The Hand in Hand Wimbledon it’s the small details that add up to create a wonderful visit. The range of beers, the little art details, the pub paraphernalia that covers the pub’s history and even the little pastry heart on the pie.
Spring menu at The Hand in Hand Wimbledon
To pick something off the spring summer menu we also chose to try the lemon thyme breaded chicken fillet with pickled fennel & blood orange salad with fries.
The chicken was so succulent and moist and the crumb outer layer was crispy. The rocket salad with pickled fennel & blood orange salad was the perfect summer accompaniment.
It was the most gloriously fresh and juicy salad to go with the crispy chicken. The mix of citrus from the blood orange and earthy flavours from the rocket worked so incredibly well together.
Dessert Time
Even though we were both absolutely stuffed from such incredible food, I was very tempted into one of the puddings. We went for the hot sticky toffee pudding topped with a cold ball of ice cream on top.
It was so good. We sat in silence as we ate so we could enjoy the flavours and then fight over the last mouthful. The portion was huge and great to share.
Thank you so much to the Hand in Hand Wimbledon for such a wonderful evening. Especially to Jess who was fantastic and really knew her food and flavours. I loved exploring the new look pub and marvelling at the fabulous job which has been done.
Cheers to the first 184 years of The Hand in Hand I’m sure it will be going for 184 more!
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#AD *Disclaimer I was gifted this meal at The Hand in Hand Wimbledon. All opinions are my own.
I do love a pie, and that pie looks delicious
Oh my goodness, I used to frequent The Hand on a regular basis before I had my son… he’s almost 34! Judging by your wonderful photos, it looks just as great as I remember it. The food looks just as incredible now too, perhaps even more so. What a lovely review – it’s made me very nostalgic!
Aww I love that! It is such a family friendly and great memory making place. I hopeyou get a chance to visit again soon.
What a lovely place! Packed full of food props, my kind of heaven. The food looks pretty good too, that steak and the sticky toffee pudding looks like it’s to die for!
The food props added such a lovely atmosphere. I wanted them all!
Wow that pie crust is literally calling me. In fact all the food looks utterly delicious, what a great pub to have so close by!
Their pies are just incredible. Plus they are huge. Eyes definitely bigger than stomach when visiting this time.