#39 Fulham, Brighton, Amsterdam
Where's for dinner, this week.
Stop reading this newsletter, click here and book yourself into The Hero. I will be raving about this meal for months.
At the back end of last year, I mentioned how much I wanted to go on this very newsletter.
The cosiest little pub with light wood features, big fire places, and a dining room upstairs, The Hero, in Maida Vale was high on the list.
Last weekend, after trying to get a table in the pub, we settled for a slightly more expensive seat in ‘The Grill’ upstairs. And it was 100% worth it.
There’s a lovely atmosphere throughout The Hero, but a real buzzy calmness about upstairs. And don’t get me started on the interiors - just gorgeous.
Heaps of the menu was gluten free, including their stunning Raw Beef & Hash Brown - which they now make coeliac friendly - using egg instead of flour to bind.
For mains we shared the huge Turbot, which was cooked in the most incredible buttery sauce, and was enjoyed matchstick style fries (also GF as no gluten in the frier - win), and a side of sprouts and cheddar.
The flavours of every dish were simple, but perfect. You know the food is good when you opt for no ketchup with your fries, just to enjoy their own flavour.
I cannot recommend a long Sunday lunch here enough.
Now onto the wish list.
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1. The Harwood Arms, Fulham.
It is officially roast season. I feel like I haven’t got on the roast hype yet, due to being away most of November, then the whirlwind of Christmas, plus the weather never quite getting old enough.
But it’s definitely cold enough now. With a huge temperature drop, whisperings of snow, I want nothing more to be in a pub with a good old fashioned roast with lashings of gravy to keep me warm.
And what better than planning a trip to The Harwood Arms, London’s only Michelin Star pub.
As the accolade suggests, this isn’t your average roast, nor an average price. Two courses on a Sunday will set you back £64 each, and three for £79, but the food does look incredible.
Choose between a Warm Blue Cheese Tart, Venison Pâté or a Root Vegetable Salad for start, followed by the choice of Sirloin, Slow Cooked Deer Shoulder, Iberian Pork or Cornish Monkfish, all served with yorkies, roasties, baked carrots, cauliflower cheese and greens.
The mains are for two to share, so make sure you bring someone you can agree with, before hogging your own dessert.
Book a table here.
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2. Amari, Brighton
Earlier this week, Michelin Guide announced a handful of new restaurant additions of their collection.
One of these, was Amari, a Spanish tapas restaurant in Brighton that only opened a few short months ago.
There’s something really charming out this place. A bright red exterior, with cafe curtain, welcoming you into a dimly lit, cosy restaurant.
What started out as a selection of set menu picky bits has developed into extensive A La Carte menu, complete with stand out flavours including Suckling Pig with black pudding purée and truffle sauce, and Roasted Skate Wing al pil-pil.
The drinks menu is even longer - with cocktails, mocktails, beers (gluten free also), all the wines, plus sherry and dessert wine. You’re spoilt for choice.
Post Dry-Jan, I’m there.
Book a table here
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3. Helling 7, Amsterdam
The light that pours into Helling 7 is something I am extremely envious of at the moment.
January in the UK is tough, and when you do get a sunny day, it’s like all your Christmases come early (or a month late).
Location, views and atmosphere all come highly rated, and from images online you can see why.
Not many tourists venture North, but when you do you’re met with industrial warehouse spaces, that open up a different view of Amsterdam.
In daylight, epic light streams into the restaurant with panoramic, views of the water, and by night reflections bounce, as the city glistens in the distance.
Food wise, the entire menu revolves around the open fire in the kitchen. Choose between Chef’s section (3 or 4 courses) or A La Carte.
Most of the menu reads quite simple, but images of the dishes prove otherwise. There’s a big focus on fish and meat, with options to share mains with larger servings.
But as much as the food looks great, it’s the location really intrigues me. It’s given me a reason to make the journey North next time I’m in the city.
Book a table here.
What’s “Where’s For Dinner?”
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. All places I want to try, but haven’t yet.I would love for you to subscribe (button below), so we can enjoy these places together. And if you have got any tips of your own, I’d love to hear them.