Notting Hill & Kensington Church St. London Edition

Now that I am fully settled and back into my regular routine it's about time to begin the new year by enticing you some eateries that will have you planning your next vacation to Kate and William's homeland.
This post is dedicated to some London restaurant recommendations. On my most recent trip, I had the short and sweet pleasure of hitting up a couple of great eateries in Notting Hill and on Kensington Church St. that are highly recommended for anyone inspired to visit the British sometime soon.

Kensington Wine Rooms

Kensington Church St.

Very rustic and dark on the inside, great for a quiet and romantic drink with tasty dinner.

The smoked salmon tartar, gnocchi and chips (french fries) are all great menu picks, as are the massive selection of wines.

Granger & Co.

Westbourne Grove

This Australian hotspot is packed for lunch and is a great place to catch up with friends and experience the trendy London scene. I would equate it with New York's Soho type restaurants that house single trendy locals and young families living in the neighborhood.

The food is light and their zucchini fritters with tehine dressing were my favorite menu item. The tehine was unique and praiseworthy for a cuisine that isn't first nature to ground sesame seed paste.

The coffee is also fabulous (as is most of the coffee out side of America, Ugh I'm such a coffee snob, shut me up, now) and the bloody mary is a must order. Their eggs and hot cakes are not to be missed either. 

Bloody Mary

Ottolenghi

Ledbury Rd.

Absolutely fabulous spot for lunch, as are the other two London locations.

Take Away (as the English say) Veggie Selection

The salads, the grilled veggies topped with thin layers of amazing goat cheese, the mince pies, are all absolutely, the most tasty food I've had in a long time. Yes, Eataly has a great vegetable restaurant, but oh no, Ottolenghi is in a far superior league of his own from anything you may have tasted.

Buy his cookbook, eat at his restaurants, this man is a mastermind.

Take away mince pies and mini desserts

Melt

Ledbury Rd.

Honestly, the English give the Swiss a run for their money when it comes to chocolate.

After tasting Melt's chocolate, and trust me, I tasted it all I can very well argue this beats almost everything I've ever had. Maybe because it's all made fresh in the back of the shop and there are no preservatives and factory processing or maybe its the creativity of flavors? Or maybe they simply just have it right. One couldn't know for sure. But, from the passion fruit and the peanut butter and jelly truffles, to the pine nut and cinnamon chocolate bars, there was nothing that dissapointed at Melt. After the truffles and sea salt chocolate bars that melt in one's mouth, plain old processed chocolate doesn't quite taste the same. 

Chocolates from Melt, Nuts & Sea Salt from Ottolenghi & Coffees and Mustards from Selfridges

Mildred's

Lexington St.

See Review Here

And... For Some Other Recommend Spots in the Neighborhood

202 at Nicole Farhi

Haven't eaten here on my most recent trip but when I was there 3 years ago, but the food is good quality and I wouldn't have any doubts in recommending eating here.

Clarke's

Kensington Church St.

Its a famous Kensington Church St. Spot known for their pastries and baked goods, as is their brunch and lunch.

Bluebird

Kings Road

Very posh, trendy and scene on the very popular English "reality" show Made in Chelsea, this is the watering hole for the young and trendy with brunch, lunch, bar and dinner menus. Young can eat and drink or just drink and order bar food their.