Daylesford Alfresco Dining...

This year we've been blessed with a Summer - at long last - so come the weekend it's all about alfresco dining, fruit loaded Pimms, flip flops and sunshine filled walks. A few weekends ago I decided to make the most of the blistering heat and ventured West which I don't often do when the weekend rolls round. I work West, so that's my week-day neck of the woods, but I thought I'd make an exception this one time. First stop - Portobello Road. A road like no other - people watching, market stall snooping and pastel-hued houses lined up in rows... 

 

After an hour of browsing and wandering some much need lunch was in order so next stop - the Daylesford. 

A popular spot packed full of sloany types, yummy mummies and ladies that like to lunch. With only a few tables outside, we were up against some seriously fierce competition but after a quiet yet stern word with the waitress we were in! Daylesford's slogan is 'straight from the farm to the fork' and this kind of sums up the place - an organic farm shop come restaurant complete with hay bales, perfectly formed row upon row of OCD-esque lined-up fruit all finished off with a dash of designy pzazz. 

 

 

We settled down at our table for an afternoon of good food and booze. The outside of Daylesford is just as charming as the inside - white wash exterior and cutesy awnings all topped off with a patriotic red, blue and white flag...

 

 

We were also treated to some eye candy in the form of a shiny, blue and perfectly formed sports car parked up right besides us...

 

 

The food on offer was pretty special too - we opted for smoked salmon with all the colourful trimmings and Angus corned beef hash, fried hen's egg with homemade brown sauce all washed down with an icy cold bottle of white wine... 

 

 

For dessert we ordered the king of all puds in my opinion - Eton Mess. I can safely say that this one blew my mind - every mouthful was accompanied by wows and oh my Gods...

And here we are sitting back, relaxing and enjoying the food and surrounding atmosphere. Magic...

208 -212 Westbourne Grove 

London 

W11 2RH 

020 7313 8050 

Opening hours: 

Monday - Friday : 8am - 7pm 

Saturday : 8am - 9pm 

Sunday : 10am - 4pm 

Perfect Pub Grub

As honorary Mouse whilst the 3BM's sun themselves in sunny Sri Lanka, I thought I'd take the opportunity to share my favourite locals that are on my West London doorstep.

The Anglesea Arms

The real gem of W6 and worth a trip out West to visit. This is a real local but with an incredible gastro twist. 

With a cosy pub front room, complete with velvet curtains, roaring fire and the odd piece of taxidermy - the Anglesea is the perfect pub pit-stop on a weekend afternoon or evening after work. Serving specialists Ales and a carefully selected wine list- there is definitely something to whet your whistle! Out the back is a exposed brick restaurant with large blackboards featuring the hand written menu, here there is plenty of light pouring in through the natural skylight, this is for a slightly more formal (but still super cosy) dining experience.

The atmosphere is great throughout but it is all about the food and the same mouthwatering menu is served in the pub front room and the restaurant, so you really just need to find your favourite seat.

Anglesea staples include a pint of prawns with rose marie sauce, oysters and a seasonal choice of Neal's Yard Cheeses (the three choices of food that had me at Hello!) but the wider menu varies daily with unusual but sturdy British dishes that will have you salivating.

Starters or lighter mains include home-made soup of the day (always delicious, Pumpkin and Rosemary today), unusual salads (Blood Orange, Feta, Alf Alfa Sprout and Hazelnut Bitterleaf salad) but on this occasion we opted for the Foie Gras Terrine, Onion Marmalade and Brioche.... it melted in our mouths.

Mains feature fish and then go heavy on meat and game - with partridge, rabbit and venison regular choices. Our Bream Fillet with Pink Fir Apple Potatoes, Fennel and Cauliflower Puree was perfect and the spoiling, winter combination of Lamb Loin and Shepherd's Pie (yes together in one dish!) was spot on for a cold February evening.

Puddings include cheese and the homemade ice-cream selection with unusual flavours such as red wine ... it's really actually very good.


Nearest tube: Ravenscourt Park (7 min walk)

The Hampshire Hog

From the founders of now closed down North London gem, The Engineer, The Hampshire Hog opened in Hammersmith in Autumn 2011. Pitched as 'pub and pantry' the Hog (as it's affectionately known) combines the two effortlessly and with the big light windows, white washed finishing, wooden floors and country style floral displays scattered around - it certainly feels more pantry than pub, and is the perfect choice  for your Saturday brunch.

We popped in for dinner last week and were spoilt for choice with the apertif's menu  - Hot Buttered Rum or Guinness or a Sipsmith Negroni - opting for the local Gin mix we weren't disappointed. We also loved our starter of Arbroath smokie and Cheese Souffle, Tomato Chutney and Balsamic, followed by Pan-fried Seabass, Bubble + Squeak and Sauce Vierge. We were also tempted by the delicious sounding Herb Gnocchi, Roasted Winter Veg, Berkswell and Pine Nuts and the sharing boards of harcuterie and vegetables..... we will have to head back soon to satisfy our curiosity.

Nearest tube: Ravenscourt Park (4 min walk) or Hammersmith (8 min walk)

The Princess Victoria
Looking for that elusive perfect Sunday Roast? Then look no further, The Princess Victoria has got Sundays covered. With one of the best Bloody Mary mixes we've tasted (spicy with plenty of horseradish), a stack of Sunday papers, a yummy Scotch egg to share for starters and a pink, tender Roast Beef with lots of delicious trimmings (cauliflower cheese, greens and the crispiest roasties) means we come back again and again.

Elegant decor in slate grey set off against the high-ceilings with the tables in bar seated around the central horse-shoe shaped bar. There is a bigger 'restaurant' room adjacent to the bar area, with tables of all shapes and sizes but it is the fantastic huge diner in the middle that seats around 20 that has caught our eye for good ol' get together.

Nearest tube: Shepherd's Bush (15-20 min walk) - or much easier hop on the bus down Uxbridge Road