The Richmond Hill Hotel is located just a stroll away from Richmond Park, the largest of London’s Royal Parks, and the favourite park to King Charles, so much that he enclosed it to house royal deer in the 17th Century.
A blend of contemporary and historical Georgian architecture; the hotel’s appeal as a lifestyle destination, for boarding and day visits, positions it as a firm favourite for both Richmond locals and visitors to the area. One of the aspects which lends to it’s reputation is the popular all-day-dining brasserie and terrace aptly named 144 On The Hill.
Hashtag Life visited on a wonderful sunny Sunday. And let’s face it, any sur-20 degree weather following heavy May showers in England, is nothing short of a thunderbolt reason to book an al-fresco event
"A delight to discover"
144 On The Hill is precisely that. The award winning AA Rosette restaurant creatively steered by Head Chef Jessen Valaydon offers a day to evening experience for all moods and events. We visited for Sunday brunch on the terrace, but a quick peek at the chic, bright, airy and contemporary indoor restaurant tempted us to plan a revisit to experience the indoor restaurant, and its snug lounge area with a Gin menu to rival most.
Whilst a Sunday visits will typically call for a good old Roast, which is available at 144 On The Hill, on this occasion we were tempted away from tradition by the Terrace Menu. It offers refreshing spring and summer tasting creations in the form of their Small Plates, as well as some bigger Mains in the form of Wagyu Beef Burger, the Jumbo Prawns and T-Bone Steak. There is also a substantial selection on the Kids Menu if your are taking any little ones.
Tasty Small Plates from the Terrace Menu
We tucked into a stunning array of Modern-European flavours such as the Crispy Lamb Shoulder with almond mint tabbouleh and harrisah labneh, which plays on an infusion of Middle Eastern flavours too. The Burnt-End Beef Brisket was cooked in a subtle sloe gin with crispy onion wedge as an accompanying garnish. For a nod to Italian cuisine, there is the refreshing curls of Parma Ham served with cold cubes of melon, and the unbeatably beautiful and creamy Burrata on a bed of crisp cold beetroot and pesto drizzle. For the pescatarian lovers, we recommend the Crispy Calamari, in fact, find me someone who can resist ordering calamari when its on a menu! Our final recommendation actually came from the Manager, Gerald, who encouraged us to squeeze in one more small plate, the Sweet Potato and Lentil Bon Bons.
From the Grill
Al-fresco menus often offer limited selections of small or sharing plates, relying more on using the outdoor setting for drinks and nibbles. Not at 144 On The Hill! Here, on the Terrace Menu you get all the drinks and plates to wet every palette and satisfy every appetite.
There is a gourmet selection of burgers and bagels, including the Wagyu Beef Burger, with crispy brisket and organic streaky bacon, and all the usual trimmings atop a juicy wagyu beef patty, in a brioche bun. For the non-meat eaters, there is also a Plant-based Burger, and a Salmon and Cream Cheese Bagel on the Menu, to name just a couple.
In addition, there is beautiful cuts of grass-fed Ribeye Steak and 32 day dry-aged and heritage breed T-Bone Steak; huge, juicy pieces of meat, cooked to perfection with the strong sizzling grilled flavour cutting through, they offer one of the most unbeatable value-for-money dishes I have found for London.
As if the selection offered on the Terrace Menu isn’t tantalising enough, we also snuck a peak at the A La Cart, which is usually offered in the main restaurant, but can also be served on the Terrace. We couldn’t resist a taste of the Yuzu Wasabi Cod; a generous, soft, flakey piece of white fish in a gorgeous, light miso and ginger broth, for those who want to enjoy a filling but healthy option.
We also had to try the King Prawns, a platter with no less than 9 or 10 jumbo sized barbecued lime and chilli prawns, and the Outstanding value and a must-try.
