#10 Lambeth, Deal, Lisbon
Where's for dinner, this week?
This weather is not giving Summer.
I’ve never known the UK to change its mind so much in the space of 30 mins. It makes BBQing, picnicing, and any alfrescoing tricky.
So just sack it off and take your summer holiday to a restaurant.
Each of these three spots are giving holiday vibes in their own way. Whether it’s a classic British garden style setting, a seaside escape, or just booking a flight straight outta here.
Which is exactly what I’ve done...
1. The Garden Museum Cafe, Lambeth, London
I walked the dog past this spot the other day, and muttered “a garden museum, how cute.” Little did I know, until a friend went last week, it also housed an incredible cafe.
We say ‘cafe’ - this is no typical cafe. There’s no squeezie bottle of ketchup, a metal carton of serviettes, or a whiff of ‘always on’ bacon. The aesthetic is clean, with big windows that overlook (some city of London) greenery. This is the ‘garden museum’ after all.
Visually, the food is presented equally as clean, with beautiful pops of green. I’m desperate to try the a) the Courgette & Mint Soup, b) the Cornish Mackerel, c) the Chalk Stream Trout with Asparagus and if there’s any room left in the bottomless pit that is my stomach, d) the Bavette Steak.
I can’t help it. Whenever there’s any kind of steak, (and this one sounds extra special being sourced from the Highlands) I need to order it.
But that may all be different come tomorrow, as this light, seasonal menu changes up daily to compliment its produce.
Pooches also have to stay at home for this one, which gives me the perfect excuse to do the cafe AND museum in one afternoon.
Book a table here.
2. The Blue Pelican, Deal, Kent.
Deal has come up in conversation twice in 24hours, so it felt right to give it a moment.
Last year I spent a night away at The Rose. Stunning hotel and great food. But what I didn’t realise, is that they have another local food establishment that appears to be just the hit.
The Blue Pelican serves up Japanese inspired dishes with natural wines, and as you may or may not expect, is awash with calming yet bold interiors that fit the location perfectly.
The kitchen cafe style curtains, the pops of blue, the bright red and white checkerboard floor, all perfectly suit this pretty little seaside town, and frame the sea in the distance in a postcard like way. It’s just so very Deal.
Now I’ve finished with giving the interiors their shout out, onto the food. The menu boasts an excellent mix of land, sea, small and sharing plates - you won’t go hungry.
My boyfriend would absolutely be devouring the Crab Croquettes - two of his favourite things in one. I on the other hand, have my eye on the Chicken Tsukune, the Braised Short-Rib Baked Clay Rice, and pretty much every single side. Pickles + Seaweed Salad + Pink fir Potatoes, with rainbow chard and walnut miso - sign me up.
I was also pleased to see lots of great wines available by the glass, not just the bottle. This is the kind of place you want to mix and match, to try the offering, but also match to your course or dish.
Book a table here.
3. Tricky’s, Lisbon
Lisbon is a place that has been on my ‘to travel’ list for a long time. I just know I’m going to love it. All the best food and wine of a great city, right by the sea. I have no idea why I haven’t been already.
But..that’s all changing. Not only is the trip booked for next week with my Mum, but so is our first restaurant. This is how it goes when securing a holiday. Flights. Hotel. Restaurants.
Tricky’s was recommended by a colleague, who now also lives in Lisbon. Personal recommendations always bump a restaurant to the top of my list, but it’s also good to know, that according to a random stranger online, this was “the best meal of their life.” Tricky’s is getting a visit.
The menu is hard to come by. It’s not something visible on any website, which in a way makes it all the more interesting. They’re playing hard to get.
Some googling, tagged photo stalking, and reading Instagram captions, finds lots of fresh organic plates, packed with Portuguese flavour. I’ve read they can cater for allergies - so here’s hoping.
I’ll let you know how I get on the week after next. Apparently dancing is encouraged afterwards. Better tell Mum to pack accordingly.
Book a table here.
Every week I’ll be tempting you with where your next meal out could be - one in London, one in the UK, and one beyond.
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