#45 Marylebone, Ashford, Barcelona
Where's for dinner, this week?
It’s 7pm the night before, and I’m finally getting my thoughts down for the week.
Although extremely late in the day ahead of the 9am share, it does allow me to tell you about a local wine bar I tried for the first time last night.
Ancestral Wines, in Forest Hill, seems to have a bit of a cult following online, and being so close by, I feel ashamed to admit I’ve only just visited.
With it’s shutters down a lot of the week, it can be easy to miss, but come Thursday through to Saturday, it’s bright yellow sign pings down the street, welcoming you into a gorgeous wine bar and bottle shop with wine, snacks and music.
By 8pm there was a real buzz about the place, a local hang out spot for friend’s of the manager - which created a really friendly-feel. Staff were also super helpful directing us towards ordering something that would be up our street.
Visit to pick up a bottle, have a glass before dinner, or make an evening of it, making your way through their large selection of bottles.
Onto the wish list.
1. Lita, Marylebone
It’s booked. It’s in the diary. And I will be dining here in March. Cannot wait.
Lita’s sparked my attention on Instagram a few weeks back, when I saw it receiving it’s first Michelin Star at the recent awards.
A Mediterranean bistro with focus on open fire cooking, there is SO much on the menu I want - I really don’t know where to start.
I might kick things off with the Chopped Hereford beef, Amalfi lemon, shoestring fries (above) or the Fuentes Bluefin tuna, corno peppers, coriander, capers. Then for main, I’ve been really into fish lately, so it might have to be the Cornish monkfish, fennel, heirloom tomatoes, bouillbaisse (also obsessed with fennel).
For dessert, something easy like Fior di latte, Maldon sea salt, Sicilian olive oil. Simple but likely very affective.
The interiors are equally as stunning with a focus on warm wood tones and handpicked decor from vintage markets, giving it a real homely feel.
See you very soon, honestly - can’t wait.
Book your table here.
2. Boy’s Hall, Ashford
“I bet Boy’s Hall is on your list,” a friend said as we had lunch. “I’ve wanted to go for so long. I’m dropping hints it’s where I want to get engaged,” she continued.
I hadn’t heard of it, but was quick to look it up. And she was right - definitely adding to the list.
Found in Ashford Kent (really not too far from London at all, for those in the city) you’ll find Boy’s Hall - a converted house with a restaurant, rooms and great wine.
I was particularly impressed by variety of food, for varied budgets. Their Set Menu if you dine (Mon-Thurs) coming in at two courses for £28 and three courses for £35, plus relaxed bar food, a hearty Sunday lunch menu priced like a typical pub lunch.
If you don’t mind splashing out a little more, their restaurant, which is a huge part of the Boy’s Hall experience, focuses on produce from local farmers, butchers & fishmongers. With options like Sea Bass and Sirloin straight from the fire, it’s a tough choice, but I will 100% be ordering their Local Crispy Potatoes with garlic, rosemary, thyme.
On perusing desserts (you always have to suss out the options, because let’s face it, it may determine how hard you go early on) I was thrilled to see every single dessert was gluten free (the whole menu is very well labelled). So the hardest decision might be choosing between the a) Sticky Toffee Pudding with Clotted Cream, b) Chocolate Bavarois with Orange Sorbet, c) Tonka Bean & Chocolate Panna Cotta, or d) Crème Fraîche & Rhubarb Gâteau. Drool.
Rooms are seriously stunning too, with every single detail meticulously designed. If you wish to make a weekend of it, rooms to book up a fair bit in advance, so would suggest getting your reservation in asap.
Book a table here.
3. Out of China, Barcelona
Now I know we’ve had Barcelona recently… but with a booked trip, naturally we are adding to our restaurant map, and my God am I excited about this one.
Out of China not only looks to be a very nice Chinese restaurant, but it’s also 100% gluten free. *Cries into spring rolls*
Being able to eat Chinese food just isn’t an option for me most of the time, so to have somewhere like this to explore - it’s an essential for the weekend.
When it it comes to ordering, where to even begin. Their Grilled Prawn and Pork Wontons and Cheese and Shrimp noodles both look and sound stunning (below). And obviously Peking duck need to be in the mix (above).
But make sure you save room for dessert with highlights that include Dulce de leche mochi(!) and homemade hazelnut ice cream. The perfect finale.
Book your 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.
I have one day in Barcelona in September and the PRESSURE to eat at one good place is too much. I’ll be watching for where you recommend post-trip!
Oooh Lita looks so pretty!