Tag Archives: gastropub

Duke of Wellington burger, Marylebone

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When a friend, a family member or even a stranger tells me they have found the ‘best burger in London’ it is not a statement I take lightly. Constantly on a quest to taste the most awesome burger on offer in our capital city, I never tire of trying new contenders.

This time I was off to the Duke of Wellington, a smart gastro-pub in Marylebone. A brief walk from Baker Street station and conveniently close to all the gorgeous boutiques, this pub is the perfect place to pop into after a tiring day shopping. The pub has a cosy feel and a relaxed atmosphere, it was immediately obvious that many of the visitors are locals who come here to drink, eat and chat most days. One chap came over to talk to us enthusiastically about his memories and experiences of this pub!

It is fine cuisine that ensures the Wellington remains a popular destination in a constantly evolving area of London. We were here to try one thing and ordered out burgers with barbecued pulled pork, cheese, coleslaw, pickles and fries immediately after sitting down. It was early evening and the place was still filling up, we had time to enjoy our wine and warm fresh bread before the main attraction arrived. There is only one burger option, and who needs more choice when the speciality is done so well.

It is a feast for the eyes as well as the stomach, a huge stacked burger was placed in front of each of us, oozing cheese and dripping luxuriously onto the plate. It was spectacular. I wasn’t quite sure how to tackle it as it fell over the moment I prodded it. The ground beef here is scrumptious, a mix of various cuts, it is tender, flavoursome and very juicy. The pulled pork is cooked in litres of fizzy lemonade to give it an extra sweet taste and tender texture, though this was an original idea I found it a little too sweet and overpowering with the rest of the burger… then again I’m not a huge fan of sweet’n’savoury. The chips were divine, super thin and crispy, think posh McDonalds fries.

The Wellington burger is one of the best I’ve tried in London, with a unique combination of toppings, prepared and presented to perfection without compromising on taste. If you can manage afters, which we did (somehow) I highly recommend the sticky toffee pudding.

The Duke of Wellington also offers a reasonable two course lunch for £14.95, the burger doesn’t feature, but a tempting looking steak is available as part of the deal.

More information here.

http://www.thedukew1.co.uk/

The Victoria, Hotel and Restaurant, Richmond

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The Victoria Hotel and pub in Richmond is as quaint and cute as the area that surrounds it. Moments away from leafy Richmond Park (though we couldn’t find it on our night time stroll) and a short walk from Sheen High Street, it is an idyllic location in the middle of the West London suburbs. Quiet and sleepy, it is the ideal place for a small romantic pub-hotel.

Our room was small and cosy with all the necessary essentials: iron, kettle with tea and coffee and a full length mirror of which I was particularly appreciative. The decor in the Victoria is simple and stylish, traditional and very homely. The functional bathroom was petite and ideal for a quick freshen up, with a powerful shower and pleasant smelling Neutrogena toiletries.

The cheerful restaurant downstairs was full and buzzing when we went down, ravenous and anticipating a feast. The British inspired menu offers rustic, simple but well executed dishes… high quality comfort food. We enjoyed hefty steaks and devilish triple fried chips (au Heston) and delicious, sophisticated salads. The light rosé they recommended suited the mood and hot summer evening perfectly and fruity fresh desserts provided us with a sweetness kick before bed.

It was unfortunate that we were staying on the hottest night of the year… when we trudged upstairs after dinner, the room was stifling even with the windows open and a bedside fan. Our bed was very comfy, though I couldn’t enjoy the full benefits of the fluffy duvet. Richmond is blissfully quiet and during the night the silence is particularly obvious to one coming from a much busier area of London.

Breakfast in the morning was simple and classic: an assortment of continental treats or cooked breakfast for those that desire it. We munched on soft, buttery croissants and freshly roasted coffee before walking out into the Richmond sunshine.

The Victoria is the perfect place to lock yourselves away: with easy connections into London you are close enough to activities in the frantic centre of town but far enough away to recollect your thoughts and refresh before returning to the fray.

More information here.

http://www.thevictoria.net/

Paradise, Sunday Bloody Sunday, Kensal Green

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I assumed Kensal Green was miles away from Central London civilisation, but it turns out to be just a few moments drive from the heart of Notting Hill and Portobello. I cannot believe I have never discovered this venue before…  the perfect West London pub and weekend hide out. I was amazed by the decadent interiors, glorious chandeliers, and rustic chic décor. Paradise is equally popular as a nighttime club-bar-hangout and as a relaxed place to chat over a lazy meal during the day.

The Sunday Recovery Session is a brilliant brunch concept based around the popular weekend hangover cocktail, the Bloody Mary. Each of the three courses use this drink as inspiration, and head chef Tim Payne has created a marvellous menu making the most it. The recently launched brunch menu is only available on Sundays 12noon to 8pm, and judging by the turn out last week you’ll need to get there quick.

Hungover guests can mix their very own Bloody Marys just to their preference – after ordering a tray of vodka and tomato juice is delivered to your table along with favourite additions: Worcestershire sauce, horseradish, crushed black pepper, lemon juice, tabasco sauce, sherry, sea salt and celery sticks. Though this sounds like enormous fun we ordered just a ready made glass each, mixed to perfection by the accomplished bartender.

All in all this meal was almost faultless, a feast of delicious food with top ingredients and really intelligent cooking. I have to admit, for a gastropub I was amazed and delighted with the high quality and class of Paradise.

The starters are light and fresh, I tried the Bob Kitchens’ Goat’s Curd, beetroot & watercress salad, honey and sherry dressing and my guest chose the Beef Carpaccio with sun dried tomatoes, rocket & parmesan. I was appreciative of the small portions (full roasts were up next) and polished my salad off within seconds… a lovely combination of soft salty goat’s cheese, sweet beetroot and crunchy watercress. I would have liked a touch more dressing as it felt a little dry, but I guess it left me wanting more! The Beef looked divine, a pretty plate of wafer thin red pink meat sprinkled with rocket and parmesan.

I rarely order roasts in restaurants, it is a tricky meal to perfect every aspect of in a hectic weekend kitchen. Paradise offer Suckling Pig, Free Range Chicken, Rib of Beef, Rumb of Lamb or the vegetarian Butternut Squash alternative. We chose the Chicken and Lamb, though the Pork was a close runner-up. The Roast was served with all the trimmings: lovely vegetables – carrot, cabbage and broccoli, puffy Yorkshire puddings and amazingly yummy duck fat roast potatoes. It was the perfect plate of food, covered in Bloody Mary sweet gravy. My only complaints: I would have preferred my lamb cooked for slightly longer, and the food arrived not quite hot enough, so that within a few minutes it was only lukewarm.

Puddings were spectacular. I had one of those awful situations where I wanted to try a mouthful of each option. Our waitress was so lovely she probably would have let me if I’d asked extra nicely, but feeling my jeans getting tighter I resisted and opted for just one, the White chocolate, pistachio & orange mille-feuille. It was without a doubt one of the best desserts I have ever tried. Aside from including some of my favourite flavours, it was immaculately designed and presented… thin white chocolate discs encrusted with splinters of pistachio nuts, with orange cream, insanely good homemade pistachio ice-cream (a perfect shade of pale green) and a stunning blood orange crisp made from crystallised orange. My friend tried the indulgent Valrhona chocolate tart, brandy snap basket & condensed milk ice cream… she seemed delighted as she managed to make her way through it despite feeling incredibly full, proof that it tasted exceedingly good. We finished with strong coffees delivered promptly with the desserts.

Paradise is a heavenly gastropub, and their brunch menu is one of the best I’ve tried. Visit the website for more information here.