Notting Hill, British, Modern Restaurant Guide

“Brett Graham never ceases to amaze” at his “simply sensational” Notting Hill fixture, celebrating its 15th year in 2020, and still idolised by its massive fanclub, who feel it stands “head and shoulders above just about any other restaurant in the capital”. “Superbly crafted, beautifully balanced modern British dishes are full of wonderful contrasts of tastes and textures, using the freshest seasonal ingredients” (notably, “world-beating game”). But there’s a “much more relaxed atmosphere than at most top-end ‘Michelin’ establishments”, with many-a compliment paid to its “easygoing, accommodating and un-fussy” staff; with kudos to sommelier Seamus Williams-Sharkey for his “light touch” and “clever advice introducing you to interesting corners of the world”. Decor is sophisticated if low-key, and “while always busy, it’s easy to have a conversation”.

“Lovely food and a great casual atmosphere” draw a buzzy crowd to this quirky, small Notting Hill site (which old-timers recall as The Ark). It was the first of the Gladwin bros’ shabby-chic venues in London (see also Rabbit and Nutbourne) and their Sussex-farm-to-metropolitan-fork concept provides an “interesting English variation on the tapas theme”; on the downside, some find the rustic furniture “very uncomfortable”.

The “fantastic experience” of eating at this highly original and “exciting” venue – a former car repair shop off Portobello Market featuring “industrial stripped-down walls” – has been restored with the return to the kitchen of Chris Denney, “a really inventive chef”, following the loss of sibling-venture Southam Street. It’s “uber trendy, but the food is of exceptional quality”.

“Handy… especially when other places are shut!” – these “round-the-clock” diners have grown from their SW10 base (which has been around for yonks) to bring their late-night formula of “decent food, a good vibe, friendly service and dependable value” to ever-more ’hoods: recent additions include sites in Euston and Clapham. Only Chelsea, Bloomsbury and Aldgate are actually 24/7.

Lady Bamford’s four organic farm-shop cafés in London make “perfect brunch venues” before stocking up on non-packaged ‘zero-waste’ goodies from her Cotswolds farm. They’re also “nice for people-watching” – although, while the “previously terrible service has improved a lot”, “staff are often overwhelmed when things get busy”.