View London

The View London Review - December 2008

"Neat, upbeat and charmingly situated, Chelsea’s Sporting Page is the perfect place for sunny evening suppers or a cosy winter warmer. Prices are a touch above the norm, but good pub food and a buzzing atmosphere more than compensate.

The Venue
Tucked away in a quiet spot moments from the colourful Fulham Road, the Sporting Page is the kind of pub that’s a joy to stumble across whilst out for an amble in unfamiliar surroundings.

The decor consists of a classily neutral mix of dark woods and white paint with flashes of brass and green tiling. This classic styling suits the pub’s athletic moniker. Even if by 10pm on a Saturday things can start to feel a bit over-bright and sticky inside, there are always several tables out on the pavement where those seeking comfort and atmosphere can escape, complete with some of the most effective heaters in London.

The Atmosphere
The entire range of Chelsea life is healthily represented on an average Saturday evening. Here you’re as likely to find moneyed bohemians and foreign businessmen as you are yacht club types and rugby lads. Throw in a few thirtysomething families with their excitable broods, the odd group of tourists drifting in from the upmarket stores on Old Brompton Road and the obligatory Chelsea fans on match days, and you’ve a recipe for a cheery, busy watering hole that caters to every age group and taste, without pandering excessively to any of them.

The Food
Food at the Sporting Page is a mouthwatering mix of classic gastropub fare, all presented in reassuringly hearty portions. From Ploughman’s sandwiches or smoked mackerel and sourdough (£6.50 and £5 respectively) to the Sporting cheese and bacon burger and chilli tiger prawn linguini (£9 and £9.50), there’s something to satisfy every appetite. Meanwhile, if all you fancy is a snack, try the delicious hand cut chips or a bowl of French beans – a surprising snip at £2.50 a serving.

The Drink
The booze offering of the Sporting Page is a strong point with draught beers from Becks (£3.40 a pint) and Kronenbourg (£3.50) to Hoegaarden (£4.10) on offer, bottles including Corona and Peroni (both £3.30), and a wide range of spirits. There’s a small cocktail list that’s very reasonably priced (around £6.50 a pop) and even a selection of vintage whiskies and ports, perfect for those more discerning in their choice of digestifs.

Where the pub really deserves congratulations, however, is its wine list. A broad and informed selection is available, thoughtfully chosen to complement the food menu with most bottles reasonably priced (they start at around £15 for a bottle of house). Don’t worry, you don’t have to be a true oenophile to enjoy them – the type and tone of each is clearly described on the menu.

The Last Word
The Sporting Page is, mercifully, a gastropub that isn’t identical to the million and one outwardly similar establishments all over London. It may be a touch pricey compared to other pubs, but for this part of London that is simply (if you’ll spare the sporting pun) par for the course."