The Bite Magazine - Autumn/Winter 2024 - Issue 36

bitecuisine O n the corner of Clapham High Street and Edge- ley Road in south-west London, the former Saxon pub underwent a head-to-toe makeover as The Ox before it opened on 14 October. It blends the original features with contemporary furnishings to create a modern gastropub with a central bar, a 30-cov- er mezzanine restaurant, a rooftop terrace, The Playroom and a 55-capacity private events space. The Ox is the brain- child of Polygon Public House, which acquired The Rose & Crown in Clapham’s Old Town. The Rose & Crown features the original terracotta tiled fa- cade dating back to 1870. It perhaps takes its name from the end of the War of the Roses, which united the red rose of Lancaster and the white rose of York when Henry Tu- dor married Elizabeth of York. The traditional yet elegant ground-floor pub area is ideally cosy for beer, fine wines and spirits, and bar food. In contrast, the first-floor dining room features sage-panelled walls adorned with antique mirrors, and parquet oak flooring serves a la carte dishes. Beyond the warm brown exterior of The Ox that greets you on arrival, inside, classic wood panelling, dark floor tiles, vintage furnishings in deep burgundy, warm greens, and rich neutrals designed by Hadley Interiors are welcoming. Jada Brookes indulges in succulent beef and other dishes at the newly opened The Ox on Clapham High Street in south-west London. The Ox Clapham Food Photography: Tony Wellington Spicy Margarita