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.

Nothing More English or More American, Mildreds

While meeting up with a friend in London's Soho, we stopped at Mildred's for a light lunch. 

The Food

It's funny how certain types of restaurants can be found just about anywhere. Mildred's may have the most English name out there, but its food and atmosphere were quite like certain types of very American clean-eating, hipster hubs in New York/LA. (Think Urth Cafe, Candle Caf, Bliss etc.). Mildred's is a vegetarian restaurant with food choices that may remind you of the whole foods salad bar while the warm entrees are more like a cross between New York's Candle Cafe and Westville. I know I know, I must post on these two spots and will do so soon!

Mildred's offers a number of entree specials and salad specials. All of the salad specials can be ordered together as one entree which was one of the things we ordered. The variety included snap peas, goat cheese, tomatoes, pomegranates and some sort of dandelion looking leaf, although I'm unsure of what it's called. The mix of salads all pretty much had the same dressing of olive oil, salt and pepper and could have used a bit more flavor. 

Market Salads

We all shared a hummus/babaganoush appetizer, which as you may, or may not, have come to realize, are two things I feel the need to order EVERYWHERE because I love them so much. 

The hummus and baba were both ok. For some reason, hummus never seems to excel in vegetarian restaurants but always manages to be on the menu. Not sure what that's about. I fall for it every time.

Hummus & Babaganoush

I was quite disappointed by the fact that they were sold out of a lot of their specials. We ended up sharing the baby aubergine (eggplant) and olive tagine. The tagine was savory with a hint of sweetness to it that had a great kick of big fat juicy green olives. I'd recommend the tagine and am upset that we weren't more hungry to try more stuff on the menu. 

Aubergine & Olive Tagine

Overall, the food was light, extremely fresh and, like I said, very Whole Foods-esque. It was not amazing but good quality and light. 

I'd definitely go back to try more of the entrees as the tagine dish was my favorite and some of the specials looked really great. 

Ambiance

Its located in the heart of Soho on a narrow street. It has a young and hipster vibe and the scene somewhat reminds me of Cafe Gitane, although not entirely. Gitane is probably trendier. I was there at an off hour and therefore could not totally grasp what types of crowds stroll in and out. 

Resos & Wait Time

Again, I was there at an off time and so we were seated immediately. It seems like it could get busy as the restaurant was more than halfway full at 4pm on a Wednesday. 

Good For: Lunch & Brunch with Friends, Possibly Dinner as Well,

Vegetarian/ Vegan

Mildred's 

45 Lexington Street 

London

http://www.mildreds.co.uk/