Author Archives: Milly

The Larder, Fitzrovia

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There could never be too many breakfast spots in London. I am always on the lookout for new cafes, and am constantly amazed by the variety on offer, from healthy hangouts serving yoghurt and fruit, to venues offering indulgent towers of pancakes with all the trimmings. The Larder, in Fitzrovia, has a nice mix of post-gym snacks and weekend treats. I joined a group of famished bloggers to get the scoop.

This new all-day café & store comes from Executive Chef Diego Cardoso and his team, who focus their recipes on ingredients that are seasonally available. The neighbourhood eatery has a casual feel, with welcoming wooden sharing tables and shelves stocked full of delicious items. We devoured a banquet of: chia seed pots with mixed berries; ham & cheese croissant melts; and crushed avocado on toast. I particularly enjoyed the pastries which were flaky and buttery, just like they should be. The Larder have their own brand of coffee, created by the celebrated Dorset roasters, Reads Coffee. It had a smooth and rich taste and is on offer with a variety of milks for fussy coffee fans. A range of fresh juices provide customers with a morning vitamin boost.

Those working nearby will enjoy the lunch options, simple but tasty toasties, fresh salads showcasing British produce and house-made sausage rolls and sandwiches.

Tucked away in Pearson Square, just a short walk from Oxford Street, The Larder is ideally located for morning meetings or weekend catch ups with friends. With 35 seats there is plenty of space to get all of your friends together and share as many dishes as you can fit on the table!

More information about The Larder here: thelarder.co.uk

Mustard, Brook Green

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There is a strange part of London, in which I used to live, in-between Shepherd’s Bush, Holland Park and Kensington. This pretty residential area has huge potential and yet there is a real shortage of nice cafes, restaurants and shops. So recently when I was alerted about Mustard, a new bistro on Shepherd’s Bush Road, I was keen to visit and try the food as soon as possible.

Mustard is housed in an old butchery building, the glorious interiors offer charming hints to its previous use, with the original tiles and features still intact. We made use of the small terrace at the front of the restaurant, and sat outside enjoying the springtime sunshine while having lunch.

The restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner and is particularly popular at the weekend with the locals, who must be delighted with this stylish new neighbourhood hang out. The menu focuses on fresh, seasonal British produce from land and sea, and there is also a great selection of vegetarian options. The Express Lunch menu is available daily, a reasonable £9.95 for two courses or £12.95 for three.

To quench our thirst we opted for a couple of glasses of the Furleigh sparkling wine from Dorset. It was a delicious, light bubbly wine with subtle fruity notes of peach and lime… refreshing and very easy to drink. Just-out-of-the-oven fennel and linseed bread arrived alongside crispy pork belly soldiers with apple dipping sauce.

In the mood for spring we chose summery dishes from the a la carte menu. The free-range half roast chicken for me, and pan-fried woodland mushrooms with braised lentils and pearled spelt for my veggie guest. The chicken was divine, with irresistible crispy skin, a faint charcoal grill smokiness and a rich dill and wheat berry gravy. I was particularly happy devouring it alongside the lusciously smooth creamed potatoes. The mushrooms were very tasty too, perfectly seasoned and cooked, with a light but filling risotto-like lentil and spelt mix.

I had just enough space, and more than enough greed, to agree to a taste of dessert. The almond and blood orange cake was dense but moist, accompanied with a dollop of sweet soft cheese. Though I liked the flavour, I found the hefty slice too big for pudding and would have preferred something a little more refined, especially considering the £5.50 pricetag.

As we sat sipping on fresh mint tea, I realised how relaxed and at ease I felt. Unlike chaotic central London venues, or tiny trendy locations in East and South London, Mustard manages to maintain a lovely low-key and local feel. So you can really relish your meal out and enjoy the company without worrying about a thing.

More information and book a table at Mustard here.

The Prince Alfred, Maida Vale

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There is something wonderfully British about enjoying a meal in a London pub, and it’s something I don’t do enough. Last week I visited The Prince Alfred, a beautifully restored Victorian building in Maida Vale offering good quality and creative food in a wonderful setting.

The Prince Alfred and the adjoining Formosa Dining Room are grand and imposing, standing majestically on the corner of Formosa street near Warwick Avenue tube station. Inside, the original pub is beautifully kept with the snob screens still in tact (so staff and guests could avoid eye contact). To the average pub goer these screens appear as tiny wooden doors connecting different sections of the room; it is charmingly old fashioned, and makes the pub feel cosy and intimate. At the back, the more modern Formosa Dining Room is decorated with blue leather banquettes, patterned wallpaper and intriguing artwork.


The menu features British pub favourites presented in a stylish manner. Crispy Suffolk pork belly with crackling, braised cabbage and bacon, Worchester, sage and apple sauce was a decadent lunch time option. Cooked with finesse and arranged neatly on the plate. The pork was tender with a caramelised edge and the gravy soaked cabbage offered some moisture to the meat. The beef burger is a favourite with the locals who come in for lunch, and I can understand why… Flavoursome British beef is nicely seasoned and coarsely ground to give a delicious patty, accompanied with cheese, bacon and red onion pickle. I found the bun quite limp and lack lustre, perhaps a lightly toasted brioche bap would work better. The skinny fries were an upmarket version of the McDonalds variety and sadly were way over salted for me.


The puddings on offer are big and bold, from Apple tart with brandy snaps, to Prince Alfred’s take on an Eton Mess. I couldn’t resist trying the Grilled Pineapple with nougat glace and raspberry coulis, which wasn’t the prettiest of desserts but tasted delicious – tart, caramelised fruit with a nutty sweet glace. Sticky toffee pudding with vanilla bean ice cream and salted caramel sauce was a hit with my guest. The classic dessert was light but indulgent with a contrasting creamy vanilla ice cream.

After a long walk round the Venice canals on a crisp Sunday morning, a hearty roast at The Prince Alfred pub would be a comforting reward. The locals are very lucky to have such a beautiful British pub on their doorstep.

More information on The Prince Alfred here.