Manuka Kitchen - Fulham's new must visit

Interesting restaurants around Fulham Broadway are few and far between. Independent businesses sadly have a history of struggling and shutting down in favour for more corporate chains with bigger budgets. There are a few little diamonds in the rough but none that I predict will command as much attention as Manuka Kitchen.

Already given the seal of approval from The Independent, this brassiere style restaurant is tucked away behind the hubbub of the main Broadway and is a welcome haven from the miserable weather outside. Higgledy Piggledy reclaimed furniture gives a cool design-feel whilst an open kitchen creates a buzzy and laid back atmosphere.

The menu is really interesting and is evidently the work of a chef who is passionate about food. The investor team, Joseph Antippa and Tyler Martin have poured blood, sweat and tears into the project, with no help from any external investors, just their ambition to create a quality neighbourhood brassiere. Martin, the chef, is originally from New Zealand's North Island and Antippa, front of house, is of Lebanon decent, Beirut no less. Together they bring years of experience, expertise and genuine charm to this corner of SW6.

                           

Small plates of deliciously crisp squid, fluffy saffron arancini and mouth-watering goats curd crustini were soon devoured and we made our way through a delicious bottle of Italian red wine. To follow we tried the market fish with tender stem broccoli and samphire aioli and the potato gnocchi with braised fennel and chilli slow roasted tomato. The food was fresh, organic and packed with moreish flavours, in a very different league to some of its neighbouring competitors. 

We were bowled over by the quality of our food and even more impressed by the extremely reasonable prices, making it an affordable regular local. Their weekend brunch is already packed out and it’s a matter of weeks before it’s the place to be on a Friday night (there is a bar downstairs), we loved it, I just hope it sticks around!

510 Fulham Road

SW6 5NJ

Tel: 020 7736 7588

www.manukakitchen.com