As the nights grow longer and the weather turns cooler, it’s that time of year again. This weekend, the Harrow Online team had the pleasure of visiting the White Bear in Ruislip to experience their new autumn à la carte menu.
From the very first bite, we were struck by the thought and care that went into every dish. The menu captures the essence of the season beautifully, offering dishes that perfectly complement the sight of leaves falling from the trees.
We began our meal with the starters, which set the tone for the rest of the evening. The Wild Mushroom Tartine was a wonderful combination of toasted sourdough, mushrooms, and a free-range egg—simple, but packed with flavour.
The French Onion Soup was a comforting and hearty classic, with sweet, caramelised onions, rich broth, and melted Gruyere cheese that made each spoonful feel like the perfect autumn treat.
Moving on to the mains, we had the Venison Shoulder and Hake Grenobloise. The venison was slow-cooked to perfection and paired with a rich sauce that had hints of chocolate and juniper. The hake, on the other hand, came with a tangy Grenobloise sauce that complemented the tender fish beautifully.
We also tried the Chestnut & Artichoke Pithivier, a vegan dish that was just as indulgent as the others, wrapped in flaky puff pastry with earthy and aromatic flavours.
To finish, we indulged in two desserts. The Chocolate Feuilletine was a decadent mix of chocolate sponge, mousse, and praline, paired with cherries soaked in kirsch—rich, but not overwhelming.
We also enjoyed the Autumn Still Life, a creative dessert featuring chestnut and espresso parfaits shaped like mushrooms. It was a fun and flavorful way to end our meal, capturing the essence of autumn with its warm flavours.
For those not familiar with The White Bear, it’s the sister pub of The Hare in Old Redding. It’s a lovely little spot that is equally as welcoming in the Autumn months as it is throughout the year. You can find it on Ickenham Road in Ruislip.
The pub not only offers an excellent menu, but the atmosphere adds to the experience. The space is cozy, welcoming, and dog-friendly, which made our visit even more enjoyable. We loved the warmth of the setting, and it truly felt like the perfect place to enjoy a leisurely meal as the weather gets cooler.
We really enjoyed our time at the White Bear in Ruislip and are already looking forward to coming back again. If you’re in the area and looking for a great spot to enjoy some delicious autumn dishes, we highly recommend giving their new menu a try.
Chris Mitchell is the founder and editor of Harrow Online, Harrow’s leading local news platform.
He launched Harrow Online in 2010 as a Facebook page sharing local news and information. Since then, it has grown into a trusted source for breaking news, crime, council decisions, planning, transport, business and community stories across the borough.
Harrow Online reaches hundreds of thousands of readers each month and has a social media audience of more than 200,000 followers.
For news tips, press releases or enquiries, contact Chris at info@harrowonline.org.
