Farmers & Fulhamites

Last Sunday saw London Farmer’s Market launch another goodie groaning site, conveniently for us in Parsons Green. Splayed out in the playground of New Kings School, farmers had come from far and wide with an array of fresh and delicious produce, ranging from the creamiest of goats cheese to the slimiest of octopus. 

My best friend, a notable chef, and myself, a self confessed ‘foodie’ had died and gone to gastronomic, gluttonous heaven when we arrived. The stalls were overflowing with colours, smells and textures to excite even the most tame of palates and we were soon tasting every cheese and sundried tomato in sight. 

Particular favourites of the day included an electric purple cauliflower, garlic infused roasted tomatoes from the Isle of Wight and our SW6 neighbour Little Jack Horner’s winter pie. 

The market will run every Sunday from 10am-2pm

New Kings School, New King's Road, opposite Cristowe Road. SW6 4LY

http://www.lfm.org.uk/markets/parsons-green/

Single in SW6

Having recently re-entered the world of singledom again, conveniently at the same time as a couple of friends, I have emerged bleary eyed from my three weeks of Bridget Jones indulgence to get back in the game. Chivvied on by numerous girlfriends and colleagues I realised that it was no longer acceptable to be chain smoking and binge drinking by night and facebook stalking my ex by day. It was time to get back out there and what better way to start than a singles night, right? Maybe...

Mysinglefriend.com had teamed up with the Flower Council of Holland to throw a tongue in cheek soiree at the beautiful Fulham Palace Garden centre (review here) following some research they had collated, comparing the suitability of mates to plants (perhaps not one for the sceptics). Research released by the Flower Council of Holland and dating website mysinglefriend.com showed that people who share their homes with at least one houseplant are viewed by prospective partners as better lovers. Jess and I have one plant in our flat, which is regularly on the brink of death and looks very sad most of the time until we finally remember to drown it with three months worth of water. However, not to be deterred by my poor plant skills I decided that there could be some truth in this plant match-making malarkey.

                                         

We arrived somewhat apprehensive and were greeted with a choice of stickers, between “I give the best cuddles”, “100% wild at heart” and "I always get what I want". Like most people at the party we made a beeline for the bar where there was a selection of delicious ‘themed’ cocktails- Katie, my ‘single friend’ enjoyed the ‘Strong Balls’ whilst I was rather taken by the “Fulham Flirtini”; a cosmopolitan disguised with a more regional name. The setting was perfect for the party as we could gaze at the garden centre goodies (and plants) whilst sussing out our potential green fingered guys. Sadly neither of us left with an Alan Titchmarsh type in tow but enjoyed the cocktails and atmosphere enormously.

                                            

Steak, glorious steak... and a pretty mean Martini!

If you’re a fan of steak, I can tell you where to go. If you’re a fan of cocktails, I can tell you where to go. If you’re a fan of both... now I can, without a shadow of a doubt, tell you the best place to go.

Last week I visited Sophie’s Steakhouse on the Fulham Road, and it was UH-MAZ-ING! Situated on the stretch of Fulham Road known as ‘The Beach’, Sophie’s has been doing a busy trade for almost a decade and has a pretty substantial following of devotees. With one tweet announcing my intention to visit, I was deluged with suggestions of much loved cocktails, milkshakes and raves about Sophie’s special steak sauce. Feeling a little bit silly for not having visited before (it damages my pride a little to think I’m so late to the party with such a local favourite as this), I decided the only way to do it justice was visit post-haste, and go a little OTT whilst ordering.

Not being able to decide between all those cocktail suggestions, I left myself in the capable hands of my waitress and had her bring two drinks she thought I might like. Well, she must have been a mind-reader because the Kiki’s Mojito (Havana Rum, Raspberries and Pineapple Juice – this time jazzed up with a splash of champagne) and Chili, Passion Fruit and Vanilla Martini she returned with were spot on. I love any cocktails with berries in, and the Kiki’s Mojito walked the line perfectly between sweet and tangy. And next time anyone asks me for a drink’s recommendation, I’ll send them to Sophie’s for that Chili Martini – absolutely divine.

Having glugged down the cocktails (you know when something is just too good to savour?), we ordered a nice bottle of Rioja to help us was down the mains. And the copious amounts of sides. And that milkshake we just had to have at the end. The wine was a Viña Zaco Rioja in case you’re interested, and very nice indeed.

Although you can order hearty classics like fish and chips and Shepherd’s Pie, I felt I couldn’t very well go to a place called Sophie’s Steakhouse and not test out the meat. The boy felt likewise and soon a Fillet Steak and a Rib Eye were on their way to us. But not before we’d gobbled up the salami platter that arrived with our drinks, and a beautiful beef carpaccio that was so tasty we got most of the way through before we remembered to photograph it!

The meat at Sophie’s is not exactly cheap (you can get a minute steak for £12.95 if you’re a bit hard up, but the Chateaubriand costs an eye-watering £49.95 for two), but you can tell they take it seriously. Where most restaurants will simply list the cut on the menu, Sophie’s takes the trouble to describe the texture, level of marbling (that’s fatty bits to you and I) and differences in flavour. We ordered both steaks medium rare, and they arrived beautifully cooked, moist, flavoursome and with an equally delicious side of hand cut fries and béarnaise sauce. The chips also tasted fairly amazing when dipped in Sophie’s special Steak sauce, and extra smoky variant of BBQ sauce – yum yum!

Not wanting those poor steaks to be lonely, we may have gone a little overboard on the sides. Our neighbours’ eyes nearly popped out of their skulls as they saw the lettuce wedge with blue cheese and bacon arrive, followed by onion rings AND macaroni cheese. My absolute favourite had to be the mac ‘n’ cheese. It was extra indulgent, extra cheesy and definitely raised my chances of a heart attack by about ten notches (it would be worth it).

Rounding off, and I’m still not sure how we squeezed it in, we shared one of Sophie’s famous milkshakes. Having been recommended the Oreo one by a reader, I was mildly disappointed to find it was no longer on offer, but any such feelings were quickly dispelled with my first sip of my vanilla and toffee milkshake. De-lic-ious!

Sophie’s is a real all-rounder, and it’s no wonder we found it so busy late on a Sunday evening. The bar has a great vibe (all exposed brick, metal fixtures - loved the low hanging lightbulbs - and blackboards) and some excellent cocktails to match. The steak was really well cooked and in general the menu sticks to a hearty formula and delivers perfectly on it. It's also worth mentioning it that the service was brilliant, and both our waiter and waitress were really warm, welcoming and attentive. The booth we were sat in was pretty darn comfy too! I can’t believe I was so late to discover this one, but I’ll definitely be back again.

Sophie’s Steakhouse

311-313 Fulham Road, London SW10 9QH.

Bookings: 0207 352 0088

Support local, buy local: market shopping at its best!

Don't get me wrong, I've spent many a blissful hour browsing the range of goodies at the Sands End Sainsbury's, but there is something uniquely special about buying your groceries at a market. There's something about seeing the plethora of fruit and veg, colours and flavours, lovingly laid out, weighed out and shouted about by the store-holders, many of whom are working a pitch their family has held for generations. One of my favourite Saturday morning activities is to check out the stalls on the North End Road, and I'm also a massive fan of the market on Duke of York Square, so I was delighted to hear that Parson's Green is to play host to a Farmer's Market of its own.

Starting this Sunday, and every Sunday thereafter, the Parson's Green Farmers Market will run from 10am - 2pm at the New Kings Road Junior School. The event is run by London Farmer's Markets and participating farms include SJ Taylor Free Range Veal, Chegworth Valley juice and fruit, and the Handpicked Shellfish Company. There will be a range of produce including freshly pressed juice, delicious organic & outdoor reared meat, new season game, dairy, plants & flowers, hand made preserves, raspberries, new season apples and pears, herbs, wet fish and shellfish, free range eggs, and the freshest vegetables and salads.

Most importantly, stall holders all farm within 100 miles of London and they are all vetted before being giving the OK to hold a stall to make sure they uphold the highest of standards. Quality local produce for local people then!

Eighty-Six, Fulham Road's hottest hangout

People will never stop wanting to eat and drink on the Fulham Road, whether it’s ‘The Beach’ strip by Pizza Express and the Goat and Boots or the swankier South Kensington end, it has always been and will remain to be an aspirational and popular destination. However, one venue which has struggled to retain a consistent brand is the beautiful Georgian house, now home to super sexy bar come restaurant ‘Eighty Six’. Previously a naff and garish restaurant called Cactus Blue this spot has never been one that people have travelled back to week after week to eat, drink and party. How things have changed...

                                       

Kate Middleton put this place on the map when she had her hen night here and named it her favourite bar. Since then marketing guru Charlie has provided the essential injection of fresh blood to bring the young fulhamites back to this destination. I was amazed at how he effortlessly he and manager Remi worked the crowd in the dining room, striking the perfect balance between being earnestly engaging yet charming (the perfect amount of schmooze) they made my girlfriend and I feel as important as the Duchess of Cambridge ourselves.       

We started with champagne and half a dozen oysters; having not seen each other for three months with hours of gossip to catch up on we were in a spoiling mood and luckily for us could not have picked a better venue. French poet Léon-Paul Fargue, described eating an oyster as “like kissing the sea on the lips”, if this is the case then the sea at Eighty Six had the Julia Roberts of lips, the oysters were exceptionally delicious. Feeling somewhat giggly after my three oysters and two glasses of champagne, we decided if we were to splurge then we might as well really splurge and so our delightful waitress Linda carefully recommended the Lemon Sole for my friend and a Sirloin Steak for me.

                                       

Before long the entire dining room, a space set on the first floor with a hollow centre to reveal the hubbub of the bar, became packed with glamorous guests of all ages. Not only was this wonderfully reassuring for a Tuesday night, it made for a lively Friday night ambience. This led me to question what it must be like on a Friday night, sublimely atmospheric I would imagine. Suitably people watched out we turned our attentions back to the matter at hand, devouring a succulent, juicy, perfectly cooked steak and beautifully light lemon sole. Both dishes were generous portions and cooked to perfection, sadly the pretty presentation didn’t last long as we devoured every last mouthful in a matter of moments.

                                       


Eighty Six has got it bang on the money, from the imaginative cocktail list to the excellent service, everything about this suspiciously cool venue makes you want to revisit. Perfect for a romantic supper a la deux, especially a first date (take note boys!) yet also perfect for cocktails and mayhem with the girls on Friday night.

King of the Wing

Last Wednesday Jess and I could not resist the temptation to head to one of our favourites, The Jam Tree, to witness their highly anticipated and much tweeted ‘King of the Wing’ contest. The name of the game was to get through the various heats by consuming vast quantities of spicy chicken wings whilst being timed and adjudicated.

The contestants ranged from a petite princess Jasmine lookalike to some pretty hot guys, who sadly became more hot literally but less hot figuratively as the evening wore on. The garden was filled with spectators and what I suppose can only be described as supporters, having never realised how competitive chicken wing contents became my eyes were opened to what people will do for a £500 bar tab. It was thoroughly entertaining and will only become more so at the final next Thursday at 8pm, I just dread to think how those poor contestant’s tummies were after this week.

Smiling wide in W6

We hate to start with a cliché, but people do tend to dread the dentist. Personally, I’ve never experienced a serious case of the fear, per se (I’m a good girl and I brush twice daily –although I’m sure I eat too many sweets and despite repeated attempts at scaremongering by my dentist I don’t floss as much as I should), and in fact I quite enjoy the whizzing, whirring, polishing and squeaky-clean-ness of it all. But I think it’s fair to say we do all dread a few choice phrases such as “Oooh [insert faux-concerned expression], I think that one might have to come out”, and “Nurse, pass me the drill”... (OK that last one was made up, has that ever happened in real life??)

But, a girl’s got to look after her pearly whites, right? Whether you’ve been through the teenage hell that are train-tracks or not, we all know deep down teeth are worth investing time in, even if it’s not as exciting as looking after your hair or nails. You only get one set. They can pretty much make or break your snogging hit-rate (shallow or not, I’d turn down a kiss from someone if their teeth were disgusting) and when they go wrong, it ALL goes wrong. Anyone who has sprouted wisdom teeth knows how much hell they can cause.

So, sexy or not... this one’s an ode to a dentist. Albeit, a dentists’ practice with slightly raised sexy stakes.

K2 Dental on the Fulham Palace Road has treated celebs (Zaki Kanaan specialises in cosmetic dentistry and the especially Dental Implants – rumour/their website has it that Jermaine Jackson and Sophie Anderton have dropped in for cosmetic procedures) and won a host of awards. However, the one that most caught my eye – amongst the usual accolades for safety and excellence – was a plaque declaring their place in the Shortlist of Britain’s Most Attractive Dental Practices! And attractive it is... with mahogany side boards, colourful yet tasteful art adorning the walls and cleverly hiding air conditioning units, a beautiful spiral staircase and decorative mirror sets around reception. Inside the practice rooms, the theme continues, and the technology is impressive. My favourite added extra had to be the screen which was suspended in front of the patient’s chair which the dentists could ‘flick’ images onto for you to see – showing somebody the inside view of their teeth, plaque and all, magnified around a foot from their face is a pretty effective tactic, trust me!

As for the consultation, my dental and hygienist appointment with Dominique Kanaan (again, a rather more glamorous individual than the dentists I am used to) was anything but scary. My initial assessment went beyond the usual questions such as do you smoke (no I don’t, *smug face*) and how many units of alcohol a week you consume (*not so smug now*) and actually went down to a deeper level around health issues, both personal and those that run in the family, and how those can affect your teeth, as well as your general well-being. Dominique was sure to explain what she was looking for at each check, what the potential results could mean for my teeth, and that photo-screen proved a real winner in showing me a little bit of what she was seeing to help drive the point home. All feedback was delivered with a smile and a helpful (and crucially, easily applied) remedy – she even assessed my brushing style and current dental product repertoire, recommending easy substitutes where possible.

The hygienist appointment was choc full of all my favourite bits of dentists’ magic. There were sprayers, scrapers, polishers, mirrors, whizzy things and plenty of splashing water. I’d honestly liken it to a deep facial for your teeth and it’s amazing to sit back for 30 minutes and let someone really make sure your teeth are the cleanest they’ll ever be! So there’s a feeling of pampering, coupled with extreme relief that all the yucky bits you’d seen on the aforementioned in-mouth photograph were no longer there! Trust me, no matter how good you think you are about brushing... a hygienist appointment is a must, and if you don’t mind the sound of metal on teeth, actually rather enjoyable. Dominique was also really helpful in answering any questions I had about cosmetic procedures, but without pushing anything at all. In fact, when I was asking about teeth whitening, she actively encouraged me to pursue the cheaper at-home option which only involved an initial consultation appointment, rather than return visits for in-salon treatment.

It’s great to know your dentist is approachable and human, and Dominique and Zaki Kanaan could not be further away from the drill-wielding stereotype. In fact, the couple bring a lot of character to the practice. They’ve bungee jumped, sky dived and for their latest venture they’re hoping to raise £6,000 for charity Bridge2Aid by climbing Kilimanjaro later on this year. If anyone can make dentistry a bit more sexy and exciting.. it’ll be these two!

K2 Dental

218 Fulham Palace Road

London W6 9NT

0207 386 5587     

Bringing Brazil to SW6

When you think of Brazil what do you think of? I think of sun, sea, Carnaval and caipirinhas. However, when I'm told to think about Brazilian cuisine, I tend to draw a blank. And I've been there! Granted I visited on some 5 day party jaunt in Rio where sampling the best of gastronomy did not feature highly on my to do list, but although I do only have the vaguest of memories of Feijoada and eating empanadas on the beach I couldn't elaborate on the food much more than that. So, it was with great interest that Sarah and I accepted an invitation to celebrate Brazilian Independence Day at Rodizio Rico, a Brazilian churrascaria based in Fulham Broadway. I may have not know what to expect food-wise (as it turns out - lots and lots of yummy meat!) but I knew we were in for a hell of a party...

Rodizio Rico sits on the site of the old La Tasca on Jerdan Place. It describes itself as a 'churrascaria de rodizio' - a traditional Brazilian grill - so as you might imagine, plenty of meat is the order of the day. As we settled in with a delicious Caipirinha, the national cocktail of Brazil (cue a mixture of good and bad memories of the aforementioned trip), we sampled steak from the grill which was absolutely delicious - perfectly seasoned and deliciously juicy. As the Caipirinhas slipped down with disconcerting ease, we were also treated to traditional Brazilian cheesy bread, a selection of grilled meat and fajita style vegetables and dates wrapped with Parma ham. The food we sampled was really tasty and hearty, and for those of you who are serious about your meats you'll be pleased to hear that all the barbecued meat you could possibly want, unlimited hot dishes and access to a salad buffet will only set you back £23.50 - about the same as a rump steak in your standard restaurant.

Buoyed by good food and good cocktails, the Carnaval atmosphere was enhanced by a wonderful Brazilian drumming group, who kept us all upbeat throughout the evening, and accompanied by some very energetic and very scantily clad Brazilian dancers, who added a touch of Rio with their bejewelled bikinis and magnificent feathered head-dresses, even if they did make me slightly regret the excessive amount of canapés I had just consumed! The girls got the crowd dancing, and we spotted an array of booty shaking that ranged from the dubious to the suspiciously impressive, and even a couple of passing policemen were inspired to give their bottoms a cheeky waggle!

The evening was really great fun, and the owner and staff were all really upbeat and friendly characters who set the tone for the festivities. I'll definitely be going back to sample the full BBQ menu - not only is it seriously good value, but they'll show you a fabulous time too.

Rodizio Rico
11 Jerdan Place, Fulham Broadway
SW6 1BE

Top 10 Fulham Bucket List for New Fulhamites

With the Summer over and another hoard of graduates gravitating to the big city I have been hearing that more and more people have been making the move to SW6. There is nothing worse than flying the family nest and feeling like a stranger in your own town with no clue where to eat, drink, party, shop and relax. Jess and I have spent hours, if not days, sampling what Fulham has to offer and so have decided to put together a top 10 of must experiences in the borough.

Number 10.
North End Road Market
Jess discovered this earlier this year and has been a frequent visitor since. Most of the market pitches have been in the same families for generations (the market has been running since the 1880s) and the bargains you get are unbelievable. Most of the stalls are for fresh fruit and veg, although the odd home bric-a-bric stall is peppered in and there is also a French cheese monger, a fishmonger and a few fresh juice and falafel carts. It is a wonderful way to while away a Saturday morning.

Number 9.
The Greedy Buddha, Wandsworth Bridge Road
There are a few great restaurants on Wandsworth Bridge Road but this one is my particular favourite. Having been frequently reviewed by heavy weight food critics it has established itself as the best Nepalese in town and is Joanna Lumley's favourite! The variety of curries, dumplings and spiced tikka dishes are all mouthwateringly delicious and the service is excellent.

Number 8.
Mao Tai, New Kings Road
If cocktails are a girls best friend then there is no better friend than Mao Tai. Bar manager Daniel expertly shakes and stirs any creation that you desire. Mao Tai has been a neighbourhood favourite in SW6 for the last 30 years and is a must visit for elegant cocktails and delicious dim sum.

Number 7.
Manuka Yoga, New Kings Road
This luxurious tranquil yoga studio transformed Jess and I from yoga snobs to yoga converts in one class. As well as the intimate and swanky yoga studio there is a stylish shop upstairs. A percentage of profits from everything in the Manuka eco range go to help plant clean bio-fuel producing Jatropha trees in Mozambique too.

Number 6.
Mare Moto, New Kings Road
This increasingly popular establishment has secured a place in the top spot merely for its variety of offerings. Whether it's a decadent mozzarella fuelled Italian dinner, or a night of cocktails and busting your moves on the light up dance floor, Mare Moto has it all.

Number 5.
Bikram Yoga, Parsons Green
This one is not for the faint hearted. This super sweaty yoga studio encourages extensive muscle relaxation and therefore enhanced stretches and poses. They offer an excellent 10 day pass for £15 and have proved extremely popular in SW6. Jess felt like a new woman after a few classes and made some fellow yoga bunny friends along the way! This is a good one to try with a girlfriend on a rainy day.


Number 4.
Blue Elephant, Fulham Broadway
If you are going to go for a Thai in Fulham, this really has to be your first port of call. This long standing much loved restaurant is sadly relocating soon and so there has never been a better time to soak up the rainforest ambiance before it becomes WholeFoods. The quality and presentation of the food is superb and the atmosphere always buzzing.


Number 3.
The Big Easy, Kings Road
The Big Easy is a must visit not only for locals but for everyone. Booking in advance is always necessary, especially at weekends, but well worth it. This American themed surf and turf rib shack has live music, happy hour cocktails and the friendliest staff in London, a good night out is always guaranteed when coming here.


Number 2.
The Jam Tree-Thursday nights
The Jam Tree has struck gold with it's weekly Thursday night free hog roast. Ideally situated between three local nightclubs, it has become the place to be on a Thirsty Thursday. Whether it's dinner, cocktails or a full on night out that you are after this bar will have the best atmosphere in town, guaranteed. It is a must visit before the winter nights draw in.

Number 1.
The Sands End
This pub is so good, we had to write an ode to it (here). Tucked away discreetly in the depths of Sands End you have to know this pub is here, yet it is busy every night of the week come rain or shine. The food is superb and the atmosphere is cosy, informal and fun. Ideal for a date, drinks with friends, family supper, there is never a bad time to visit The Sands End.

Softly, softly on Sloane Square

It's often East London that gets the credit for being the go-to place for Fashionistas. Reading street style blogs and designer bios anyone would think that Shoreditch was the centre of the style universe. Yet, Fulham is replete with fashion history. It's the home of Laura Ashley. The World's End was (and still is) the venue for Vivienne Westwood's iconic first shop (with that kooky Alice in Wonderland outside clock that spins round and round). And last week, we were delighted to learn from charismatic Brora founder Victoria Stapleton, that Fulham was the scene of her first studio also!

Sojourn in Fulham aside - although we do like to fly the home flag - Victoria's story is both interesting and inspiring. Not only is she a prime example of a successful female entreprenur, she's effortlessly elegant in a wonderfully cool and casual way, very articulate and engaging and crucially, a passionate supporter of keeping things British and supporting those who help her run her business. Born and bred in Cumbria, Victoria started her relationship with the Hunters of Brora Mill in Scotland when her father saved it from administrators in 1990. The mill had for a long time provided tweed to some many of the world's iconic luxury brands, from Burberry to Hackett to Chanel, and provided work to several generations of local families. Breaking away in 1993, Victoria established Brora as a mail-order Cashmere business. She opened her first studio in Fulham and the rest is history - she now owns over 10 shops around the country and has been nominated for many a Businesswoman of the Year award too! Almost all her wares are Made in Britain (the kids' woolies are all handknitted in Scotland) and she has sourced her cashmere from many of the same Mongolian herds for years. She uses only the finest threads for her cashmere, and employs traditional methods like teasles to give it that soft brushed effect. Continuing the heritage theme, many of Brora's 40s-inspired tea dresses and non-wool products use reworked Liberty prints from the archives, re-dyed to fit in with that season's palette so that all the collection can be worked effortlessly together. If you like a bit of ethical luxury, Brora is a go to brand.

Below is the AW Brora palette: I love the Periwinkle, Mulberry, Pigeon and Murano colours.

We visited Brora's second Chelsea store (the first opened further up the Kings Road in 1995) last week to listen to Victoria speak about the Brora story and to preview the Autumn/Winter collection. In the impeccably laid out, bright and airy Sloane Square venue we were treated to canapes and Prosecco (lucky us!) and spent the best part of two hours swooning over the impossibly soft cashmeres, mohair knits and the very chic accessories line (new in the past year or so). I hadn't realised Brora did a line in accessories, and my goodness do they do them well! They're fun, on trend, everyday chic classics, and my personal favourites were the beautiful snakeskin belts, brown felt fedora and black buckle boots.

There's something luxurious, covet-able yet hugely homely and comforting about cashmere. It's not something I own a lot of, but money-permitting I'd spend all winter in it if I could. I found myself lusting after a beautiful Aran knit charcoal grey jumper and a fun black-and-blue mohair knit sweater - both of which are now at the top of my Christmas wish-list.

Brora's Sloane Square store can be found at 6-8 Symons Street, Chelsea, SW3 2TJ

The A/W is available for purchase now

Sussing out the scene...

There have been various incarnations of The Worlds End Distillery building over the years, many of which have failed to engage the local clientele for whatever reason. Perched precariously on the edge of the Worlds End estate the location of this historic building is less desirable than other parts of the Kings Road, a fact which perhaps has led to its failure to retain a consistent brand. 

Anyway, out with the old and in with the new, First Restaurant Group has taken over the management and devised a multi themed venue in which there is ‘The Scene’, ‘The Summerhouse’ and ‘The Cellar’.

Considering Jess and I are somewhat partial to a theme, usually the naffer the better, I jumped at the opportunity to head down there last week with a friend and sample the kitsch American diner style ground floor restaurant ‘The Scene’. The décor is very Miami vice meets Ed’s diner and the walls are embellished with plasma tv screens playing 1980’s gangster films and black and white Hollywood portraits. We were greeted like old friends by the energetic manager and were delighted to hear that it was ‘Wine Wednesdays’ which meant that our bottle of wine was half price. This is one of many offers and happy hours they promote at ‘The Scene’, the best definitely being a giant size cocktail glass that is filled with your favourite cocktail for only £16 during happy hour (pre drinks anyone?).

We decided to share the chicken wings to start, a dish that was gluttonously satisfying but perhaps not one I would recommend for a date, my friend politely ignored the sticky BBQ sauce that was smothered on my face and hands. 

Children’s tea time over we decided to return to the simple American menu and try a traditional cheese burger and crispy chicken taco salad for the main courses. My salad was good and had a simple yet fresh selection of ingredients, however they had not been blended together and tossed which I would have preferred. My friend said his burger was compact yet delicious and I can vouch for the chips being pretty fantastic too. We were content with our choices and had minimal food envy, bar the chips.

The Scene for me is an easy and convenient fail safe mid week supper venue with friendly and fun service. The prices are typical of the Kings Road but if you plan your visit around the various offers and happy hours you can eat and drink more reasonably, we were also told they do excellent offers on top table too. I am keen to return as the building also has two very different venues, The Summer House upstairs which resembles a Hamptons country club and The Cellar downstairs which is a speakeasy style wine cellar for private parties.