Smith & Whistle review: Dog friendly brunching 

If I had £1 for every time someone said they’re jealous of Bears boujee lifestyle I’d be very rich. Yes, I work hard so my dog can have a better life. There I said it. And let’s be real, the epitome of a good life begins with brunch. 

I don’t know what the question is, but brunch always tends to be the answer. In the latest in my #DiningWithMyDog series our little pack headed to Smith & Whistle for a bite to eat and a cocktail or two.

Smith & Whistle review: The dreamiest decor

Housed inside the Sheraton Grand London Park Lane the first thing you notice is the attention to detail when it comes to decor. From the velvet bar stools to the copper walls and the extensive cocktail menu, everything screams 1920’s opulence (if you don’t get the Ru Paul reference, we can’t be friends). 

For a hotel bar, Smith & Whistle doesn’t feel like a hotel bar, it very much has its own aesthetic and personality which would make for a perfect date night venue or a quick drink after work. 

We nabbed a window seat and were immediately offered the drinks menu. Naturally, we opted for some rosé to share and Bear opted for Bubbly Bow Wow which she inhaled (she is my dog after all). The doggy bubbly was presented in a bowl with edible flowers floating on top – unBEARlievable levels of extra and I was so here for it! 

Tip: Make sure your little pup gets his or her paws on a dogtail (Poochie Colada, Hound’s Hops or Bubbly Bow Wow) all priced between £5- £6.50

Smith & Whistle review: What to order 

Those that follow me on Instagram will know that I’m sticking to quite a strict fitness and nutrition plan at the mo #shreddingforthewedding but I’m allowed a cheat meal each week and boy was I ready to cheat.

• I opted for the chicken kiev, cauliflower gratin, roasted garlic & parsley mayonnaise – £15.50 – I have an unhealthy obsession with garlic so it was an obvious choice. Vampires beware!
• Dem picked the BBQ chicken burger with avocado, gruyère, spiced mayonnaise and triple-cooked chips – £14.50. His chips were arranged in an aesthetic looking cube and of course, he asked where the rest of them were. Classic Dem.

I for one hate having an over piled plate and thought the portion size was perfect – both meals were delicious and each dish was extremely well priced considering we were in Mayfair.

One small irk I had, was that there were no Vegan mains available and as we are both trying to cut down on our meat consumption it would have been nice to see a meat-free alternative. While we tucked into our mains, Bear tucked into a handful of treats given to her by the waitress which was a lovely touch. Of course, she ate half of them and buried the other half in my jumper. That fur baby does love to embarrass!  

Tip: Here you can check out the full Smith & Whistle menu

Smith & Whistle: The Cocktails 

While we let our food settle and tried to stop Bear throwing herself at passers by (she gets her attention seeking from her dad) we figured it would be bad manners to visit a cocktail bar and not try a cocktail.

• I picked the Speedy Gonzales (Gran Centenario Tequila Reposado, Dry Vermouth, Aperol, Chilli Tincture) – £11
• Dem chose a Hot Rye’d (Rittenhouse 100 Rye Whiskey, Pineapple & Chilli Reduction, Boker’s Bitters, Pineapple Garnish) – £12

The cocktails were lovely and very well priced but be warned they are blimmin’ strong. Fully blaming the liberal measures of Whisky and Aperol for us nearly buying Bear a Louis Vuitton lead and harness after lunch! 

Tip: The bar is quite small and intimate so I would defo recommend booking a table to avoid disappointment 

In summary

Smith & Whistle made us feel totally at home and Bear was given so much attention throughout our visit which meant we could relax and enjoy our meal. I’ve also just found out that the Sheraton Grand Hotel is launching a new dog-friendly room package over the next few months so hopefully we’ll get a chance to pop back for another visit! 

Reason to visit: Lush interiors, delicious food and tasty cocktails. A great place to stop for lunch after walkies in Green Park. Also, pups are allowed in most shops in Bond Street so if you want to combine carbs, cardio and a spot of shopping then this is the perfect place to head. 

https://www.smithandwhistle.com/

For more dog-friendly places to visit with your pooch:

• No32 The Old Town – Clapham
• Brunch at Megan’s restaurant – Clapham 
• Foley’s restaurant – Fitzrovia 
• Duck & Rice – Soho 

*I was kindly invited to Smith & Whistle – where we were gifted complimentary drinks and food in return for blog coverage but all thoughts are my own.