Watermans Arms

This small pub by the river in Brentford has an attractive pub garden and an interesting menu. Its landlord, Gordon Fry, has a Japanese wife (Mariko) and lived in Japan for several years. The menu reflects his diverse background, with a mixture of pub food like fish and chips with Japanese pub (izakaya) cooking such as soba noodle dishes. 

Tonight, yakisoba with vegetables (£7) had carefully cooked soba noodles stir-fried with strips of mixed vegetables, fresh ginger and soy sauce. The ginger flavour came through well and the texture of the noodles was very good (easily 13/20). Japanese chicken curry (£14) was also enjoyable, the pieces of chicken mixed in with potatoes and sweet onions, the sauce based on a roux that is flavoured with curry powder, chicken stock and a touch of mirin (12/20). The notion of curry was brought to Japan by British sailors in the 19^th century, and this adaptation of it is popular to this day.

My wife ordered off the pub menu and had a spiced vegetable soup (£6) that was simple but hearty, ideal for this chilly April night (12/20). Cod and chips were less interesting but perfectly acceptable (11/20). Service was friendly, our German barmaid/waitress helpful and chatty, and landlord Gordon as engaging as ever. The Watermans Arms is a quirky little place that I am very fond of.

Further reviews: 14th Mar 2019 | 11th Apr 2016 | 23rd Dec 2015 | 09th Oct 2014 | 29th May 2014