#53 Bermondsey, Knutsford, Rotterdam
Where's for dinner, this week?
Big thanks for everyone who tuned in last week, for our one year reader speshhhh!
So nice to hear from so many of you and your wish list wanna eats. My list is now even bigger, thanks to your suggestions.
And hello new subscribers. A nice little influx thanks to a little shoutout on LinkedIn - thrilled to have you all here.
To recap on how we do things - three restaurants every week I haven’t eaten at.
One in London - where I am based - and truly we are spoilt for choice. One broader in the UK, because not enough of the UK restaurant scene gets enough love. And finally somewhere else in the globe, because if you’re anything like me, I travel to eat.
Let’s get into this week’s wish list.
1. Legare, Bermondsey
A colleague popped a photo up of Legare recently and as soon as I saw it thought - “need to go there.” It’s funny how food has that instant pull on the heart, or gut.
According to Michelin Guide, it’s in the ‘Top 8 Italian restaurants in London’, so as an Italian lover and London resident, it feels essential.
In typical Italian style, there’s multiple courses to choose from, whether you fancy little snacks, or should I say “spuntini”, pasta plates (gnocchi, ravioli and spaghetti) or other favourites like risotto. And of course we’re getting the confit garlic mash on the side.
My gluten free friends will be pleased. Their delicious sounding Seafood risotto with roasted monkfish tail, mussels and clams is naturally gluten free (no mention of pasta however). And dog owners - small dogs are welcome for lunch.
Keep some space for dessert, but don’t worry if you’re full because their pistachio cannoli with a coffee is just about perfect.
Book a table here.
2. Linden Stores, Knutsford
Not to be confused with Lina Stores, you’ll find ‘best of British’ Linden Stores sandwiched between Liverpool and Manchester, in the town of Knutsford, Cheshire.
As some of you will know, we are often visiting Liverpool to see family, and love coming across celebrated restaurants in the north of the country.
The chef’s menu (Chris heads up the kitchen whilst partner Laura curates wine from sustainable, small-scale winemakers) caught my eye - 6 courses for £47pp - which starts with breads, hams, cheeses and cauliflower cheese croquettes(!).
Onto the larger plates, and its Torched Lemon Sole served with asparagus, pickled cockles, Devon Brown Crab and hollandaise, followed by Hogget Breast, Crispy Lamb Sweetbreads, wild garlic salsa, burnt shallot.
For dessert choose between Chocolate & Rhubarb Mille-Feuille, or a British cheese board. Not forgetting the wine pairing for an extra £42.50.
Just two hours from London, why not make a weekend of it. Chris and Laura have also put together their recommendations for the local area to explore.
You can find all their tips here and if you fancy booking a table, here.
3. Bar Cult, Rotterdam
For our final spot, it’s more of a wine and snack affair. On initial look, Bar Cult appeared to be more about the former, until I noticed guest chef pop ups at this cute West Rotterdam spot.
This week, literally as we speak, J+T aka Jannick (of ‘BAK restaurant’ Amsterdam and Tycho of The Hague’s Bib Gourmand ‘Basaal’) are serving up a bistro style, offering local and delicious produce with a Mediterranean twist. With their background in fine-dining, you’re sort of getting three for the price of one here.
On non-pop-up-days, expect a lot of good wine offerings, and all the usual suspects. Olives, dried sausage, cheese, breads and delicious olive oil, plus other interesting bigger plates like Bao Buns with oyster mushrooms and pickles, Soy Cured Pork Belly with kimchi, and braised eggplant with bacalhau garlic sauce.
Local chef Shuang (above) is currently leading the kitchen at Cult - blending ingredients from Rotterdam with influences from her Southern Chinese roots for a deliciously different experience.
If you happen to be in Rotterdam, note they are a weekend spot, and open Friday-Sunday from 3pm.
More info 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.
Wow. These look quite delightfully extravagant. Add it all to the wish list... Cheers~