The wife and I went here for dinner as we continue to integrate ourselves into our new neighborhood. The location is really great, right near Fulham Broadway tube station and across the street from Stamford Bridge.

A self-proclaimed "gastropub" which sounds like some sort of bowel obstruction, the menu at the Butcher's Hook is impressive to say the least. But nothing looked appetizing. Whatever happened to simple pub grub? It felt like it was trying way too hard to be trendy and michelin-starry. We started with the pea and bacon soup which was a bit watery and the bacon had evidently been cured in salt. Although the bread and butter was a nice touch. For entrées I had the côte de boeuf and my wife had the pork belly. Both were pretty good with great vegetables and good portions.

The place itself was nicely laid out and by the time we started eating was packed with 25-30 year olds - good to know! Nice atmosphere, reasonable food, not too expensive. They just need to tone down the menu a notch. It's funny, they were advertising their Sunday roast dinner which looked absolutely delicious. Simple, traditional, very appealing. If they could apply that to the rest of their menu, they'd be on to something.

The important thing about smoked haddock with a poached egg is the egg. The egg has to be absolutely perfect. Too runny and you are covered in goo, too long on the hot plate and it has a disappointing cheese consistency. And so I stabbed my poached egg with enormous anticipation... and it was...... absolutely perfectly perfect. Well done Butchers Crook.

I was meeting the Mysterious Blonde for a pub supper on a Friday evening and acting on his suggestion to tackle a new venue.

Good points - great location very near Fulham Broadway but not on the Broadway, nice decor, good ambience, predictable but extensive menu, just the right level of chatter that allows for meaningful conversation (which is always a pleasure with the Mysterious Blonde who is font of West London gossip), nice courteous waiting staff who are not intrusive, well presented food, fun cheese board.

Bad points - um, er, bugger, cant think of any. Will have to upgrade to 4 stars.