All change...Fun New Faces for SW6

The last month has seen an array of new openings popping up on the leafy streets of SW6. Never to be outdone by its neighbouring boroughs, Fulham is constantly evolving and bolstering its street cred with a host of new haunts and hangouts. We love to suss out and sample an exciting new opening, all in the name of research naturally, and these new establishments have got our SouthWestSix seal of approval. 

Ping

So this one is not technically in SW6 but has been talked about until the cows come home so has squeezed onto the list. A re-design of the old Miss Q's site, the underground restaurant/bar/club has a scruffy chic decor and a unique focal point of three ping-pong tables. The cocktails are delicious and the pizza is glutinously indulgent, but you don't need to worry about the millions of calories because after dinner you can burn off the cheesy goodness with a game of ping-pong. Very kitch and very themed, the service still needs some attention but the concept is fab. 

The Brown Cow 

                                      

The Brown Cow is the newly opened younger sister of our local favourite The Sands End. Perfectly positioned on the Fulham Road between Parsons Green and the desirable Munster Village, it’s a local which is bound to become instantly popular. The cosy and relaxed gastro pub will offer a range of real ales and lagers, a seasonal menu and of course their famous scotch eggs. 

Boma Green 

     

Opened by the dishy duo behind Boma on Wandsworth Bridge Road, Boma Green is the new Kings Road kid on the block. Offering a creative cocktail menu, the front bar area is a lively and fun place to meet for drinks, whilst the back restaurant feels intimate and low-key. We would love there to be more places like this around SW6 and so hope this one is here to stay! 

DukeBox 

                                          

Knock us down and we’ll come back ten times stronger. This is certainly the case for the business- savvy brains behind PUBLIC. This non defeatist attitude paves way for their latest venture, DukeBox. Bound to be sexy and bound to be frequented by royals and the Made in Chelsea cast, it will be mere weeks before Fulham Road’s latest nightclub graces the social pages of the Evening Standard. We are heading to the opening party and will keep you posted...!

Babycham at Maggies 

                      

80s inspired and wonderfully naff boutique nightclub, Maggie’s, is bringing Babycham back with the launch of a bar dedicated to the ultimate 80s tipple, The Babycham Bar. From 80’s anthems and walls covered in Thatcher paraphernalia to waitresses dressed in leopard leggings and permed wigs, the Babycham Bar is another fantastically naughty notch on Maggie’s neon bedpost.

On Virgin Ground

Whoops! Who ate all the bruschetta...

For someone who fancies themselves a bit of a foodie - if only for the amount I eat, as opposed to any real  expertise - living within easy reach of the World's End is definitely a plus, as the last year or so has seen a range of openings, switcharounds and more on the restaurant scene. When Rosso Pomodoro shut, it left many of its fans disappointed, and the site lay empty for quite a few months... seemingly the recession's ubiquitous calling card, the empty shop front, had finally hit Chelsea. So it was as much relief as curiosity that I felt on seeing the builders move in to develop the World's End latest Italian venture: Terra Vergine.

Inspired by the Abruzzo region of Italy, the emphasis is on quality, natural and pure ingredients. The menu is diverse, although not too long, following the traditional structure of starters and pasta (normally a first course in Italy), followed by a selection of meat or fish dishes, and sides chosen separately. They definitely sit on the pricey and more sophisticated end of the spectrum, although the dishes are not overly complex or adventurous - the emphasis is on quality.

Sitting outside on one of August's rare sunny afternoons, I was certainly struck by the freshness of the vegetables adorning my bruschetta: set off with a crisp white wine, and a good dose of sunshine, I definitely felt a blissful Mediterranean vibe. Having whet our appetites, a generous helping of garlic and white wine seafood linguine (packed full of our sea-dwelling friends) and some lobster spaghetti managed to transport us almost completely - only the rattling of the number 11 bus going by managed us out of our reverie. Rounding off with a traditional Italian affogato (amaretto, espresso and vanilla ice-cream), we'd enjoyed a meal as good as you'd find anywhere on the Italian coast. However, we'd also spent a fair few pennies. Whilst Terra Vergine is not Chelsea's priciest Italian, it's not your cheapest option either. Definitely one for a date, rather than a wallet friendly option for a group of friends. It will be interesting to see how it fits in amongst the many other Italian options in the immediate area.

Terra Vergine
442 Kings Road, London SW10 0LQ