The Bull, the perfect post shop stop:

As you may already have discovered, Westfield, Shepherds Bush is no ordinary shopping centre, it’s absolutely massive, even more so now with the new wing, housing John Lewis and other major stores.

It really can feel quite overwhelming, so I find that after a shopping spree – footsore and laden with bags – what I really need is a good watering hole, which serves tasty, wholesome food…

Fortunately, on my recent visit, I didn’t have to look far. This winter The Bull has charged into Westfield’s Southern Terrace, with a stunning refurbishment.

Set over three floors, Westfield’s only pub is light and airy and deceptively spacious. The ground-level bar with its heated terrace is an ideal spot to relax with a leisurely drink and watch the comings and goings. The dining area is upstairs, with an open plan kitchen and a sweeping balcony overlooking the Southern Terrace. The decor very successfully blends traditional and contemporary; walls are hung with bright vintage and modern prints, sculptural chandeliers hang throughout: and on the ceiling, ducts and pipework remain exposed. The rustic wooden floor and jewel-coloured leather seating provide a warm, comfortable feel. And the bars are stacked high with glistening bottles…

We arrived on a bitterly cold winter’s Sunday afternoon, glad to be welcomed into the warmth of the pub and looking forward to a hearty meal. It was remarkably busy with families and shoppers tucking into Sunday lunch or enjoying a drink.

Our waiter recommended the Bogeda Norton Porteño Malbec – a full-bodied Argentinean red, bursting with fruit and peppery flavours – and the perfect accompaniment to our Cote de Boeuf: a 750g roast sharer for 2 – at £60. (Be sure to allow for a minimum of 25 cooking time).

This turned out to be an absolute feast – a positively Tudor experience! Unfussy, totally delicious, running the gamut of flavours and textures, we loved this large platter, laden with finger-thick slices of tender, juicy, melt-in-the-mouth beef – wonderfully charred on the outside, and perfectly pink on the inside. All the trimmings, too…Sweet honey-roasted carrots and parsnips, a pot of creamy cauliflower cheese (my favourite), impeccably calibrated puréed smashed roots, charred broccoli, double egg Yorkshire pudding…and lashings of gravy.

However, it’s not just about the Sunday roast. The new menu from Head Chef Tenzin Nyendak has a wide variety of classic dishes along with lighter vibrant small plates, all characterised by the use of British, seasonal ingredients – locally sourced, where possible. The menu takes diners from brunch through to lunch and dinner, and everything in between.

Brunch dishes include hot salt beef muffin scrambled eggs, featuring Severn & Wye smoked salmon and smashed avocado on toasted Campaillou, with poached heritage eggs. Light lunches, shopping breaks and after-work grazing are all amply catered for with a choice of ‘sharers’ such as baked Somerset camembert with truffle honey, and The Bull Ploughman’s. For a more formal affair, they offer some delicious sounding signature dishes which include The Bull’s smoked beef short rib with maple-roasted heritage carrots, spinach and tobacco onions: aubergine steak with baked mozzarella, yoghurt, pistachio and pickled chilli: and a whole BBQ spatchcock chicken, with fennel and raisin slaw.

There’s a wide selection of cocktails, quality wines, local craft beers, draught brews, lagers and artisan ales, including a quirky collection of cans and bottled beers.

Mouth-watering? Yes indeed…

However, our meal wasn’t over yet. We relished a large Apple Crumble sharer served with ice cream and custard…It was deeply comforting, brimming with warm juicy apple and delightfully clumpy, crunchy, lightly spiced crumble – sweet perfection!

We finished with very good black coffee.

I have to say; with high-quality beef and tasty trimmings, all cooked to perfection, our meal exceeded expectations, making the Bull a great destination for excellent food as well as drink – especially on a cold winter’s afternoon when we all need a little cheer.

The Bull has a myriad of areas, rooms and snugs for all sorts of events, from small intimate drinks parties through to office meetings, family dinners and urban weddings.

Treat yourself next time you’re shopping Westfields. You won’t be disappointed!