The corner spot means this would also be a great, light-filled space at lunchtime. Plus there's plenty of alfresco dining for the warmer months.
What do we need to know about Ganymede?
This cosy gastropub (or bar and dining room as they style themselves) opened a few years ago in the heart of Belgravia. It was the second of a trio of openings for the Lunar Pub Co which also runs The Hunter's Moon in South Kensington and The Apollo Arms in Clapham.
Oliver Marlowe and Hubert Beatson-Hird are the chaps behind it. Hubert has loads of London pub experience while Oliver in addition to pubs has worked as a chef at places like Chez Bruce and The Glasshouse. Running front of house is Alan Grew who spent seven years running The Anglesea Arms. So it's fair to say the team know their onions when it comes to a good gastropub.
Where is it?
You'll find it on the corner of Ebury and Elizabeth Streets, making it a nice addition to this little foodie hub with Eccleston Yards just around the corner and the Chestnut Bakery up the road.
Where should we meet for a drink first?
Obviously, you should come here. Although most of the space is given over to dining, with two large dining spaces towards the rear of the building, there is also a devoted place to enjoy a drink too. The cocktail offering is particularly strong with seasonal and weekly specials on offer alongside more classic options.
This salted caramel espresso martini was way better than it had a right to be and totally set us up for the night ahead.
Where's the best place to sit?
We were in the final room at the back of the pub, down a few steps. It's a lovely snug space with a couple of great booth tables for larger groups.
The front dining room at Ganymede (you can just about spot the back room too).
And what's on the menu?
There are regular specials but we opted for the normal a-la-carte. The menu here is traditionally laid out, with a few snacks of oysters or blinis with Exmoor caviar. That seafood comes from Knight of Mayfair (also a supplier to nearby Buckingham Palace) and Mackens Brothers, based in Turnham Green, are the pub's butchers.
Here's what we had to give you a flavour:
Tuna sashimi with whipped avocado, pickled ginger and truffled ponzu dressing (£16) - a fabulous dish that showed why this gastropub is a cut above.
Foie gras and chicken liver parfait with white wine jelly and toasted brioche (£13) - a really generous amount of the parfait too.
Satay monkfish with brown crab and lentil dahl with tamarind roasted heritage carrots and peanuts (£35) - that dahl in particular was wonderful
Roast duck breast with butter hispi, carrot puree, potato fondant and sauce bigerade (£38) - that's duck a l'orange to you and an excellent version of the dish.
Room for dessert?
We had just about enough space for something light between us, so that meant missing out on the passion fruit and vanilla baked Alaska. We also hear that the cheese course is something to behold, so that's probably worth trying too.
Pistachio tiramisu (£13) - such a great twist on a classic dessert, studded with candied pistachios.
What about the drink?
Given its SW1 postcode, it's not too surprising to find a particularly wide price range of wines on offer here. So wines by the glass start at a very reasonable £7.50 for 175ml of a Murcian Macabao but you can go up to £710 for a bottle of 2016 Burgundy from Charmes-Chambertin or you could always plunder the bin ends section of the wine list. We were recommended a lightly oaked Chardonnay from South African vineyard Vergelegen Wine Estate which has family links to one of the owners.
Overall thoughts:
Sometimes all you're after in London is a cosy pub with attentive staff, a decent drinks list and uncomplicated, well-made dishes. This is what Ganymede offers. It may not be groundbreaking, but it is a really enjoyable place to go for dinner on a cold, winter's night. More of this for 2024 please.
More about Ganymede
Where is it? 139 Ebury St, London SW1W 9QU
Find out more: Book on their website or follow them on Instagram @ganymedesw1
Hot Dinners dined as guests of Ganymede. Prices correct at time of publication.
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