#1 Ladywell, Penshurst & 'Dam.
Inspiring your next meal out - in London, the UK, and beyond.
I love eating out, and I’ve always got a mental note of ‘where’ might be next.
If you’re anything like me, my mind can be like a jumbled Pinterest board, or Insta saves folder of food. All the food I’d like to try, at places I’d like to remember. All there ready and waiting to come back to, when I’m needing inspiration for my next meal out.
That’s what I’m hoping from starting this newsletter. A chance to gather those musing and turn them into real dinners.
Those saves you click on, on a rainy winter day; a hopeful longing for the first alfresco dine.
The spots you can only dream of dining, in countries you’ve never (and may never) visit.
The hosts that just pass you by. The restaurants, pubs, supper clubs, rooftop bars, the spots that would be “perfect for if we…” And then it’s gone. Lying dormant in a dusty saved folder forever.
So really, this is a place to house all the places. One from London. One from somewhere else in the UK. And one beyond. Every week.
Because sometimes it’s good to have a place to come, to remind myself (and you, if it’s your thing) - of where that next place is.
So, instead of what’s for dinner - where’s for dinner?
1. Wilson’s, Ladywell, London
Fresh on the scene, and very newly opened, Wilson’s has landed itself at the top of my must-eat-local-list.
Down the road from me in Ladywell, it’s a classic wine bar stroke restaurant stroke small plates gaff, with an impressive drinks list.
But most importantly, it’s from the mind of Henry Freestone (and the team behind Oscar’s).
If you haven’t heard of Henry, well, you’ll want to. Because he’s had a hand at shaping some of London’s best up and coming restaurants.
Everything Henry touches turns to gold. Babette in Nunhead (miss you), Crispin, Peckham Cellars (shortly after the restaurant was awarded a Michelin Bib Gourmand), and most recently Bambi.
His style is all about simplicity, and I cannot wait to see what he does with his latest venture, his very own, Wilson’s.
Book a table here.
2. The Leicester Arms, Penshurst, Kent.
When a random walk (just outside the M25), the weather, and a very good pub collide, and you think to yourself — how the hell did we just pull that off?
Enter The Leicester Arms.
This one is technically cheating, as I have been there, but it was so busy when we fell (very muddily) through the doors, we couldn’t nab a spot for food.
But we could instead take in the breathtaking views from their beer garden. A view I can only describe as ‘period feature filmic’.
A quick google, whilst sipping a cold beer, and I noticed it was newly refurbished and had pretty nice rooms where you can stay too. You know, should your walk take a boozy turn, or more likely, you just want to make the most of the weekend.
I’m like a magpie for a scalloped headboard, matching lamps and… bath in the room(!) So that was a big old tick from me. And pretty modest prices too.
Downstairs the bar was nicely done, with a wine cellar on display as you headed to the loos (fancy). But fear not, they kept it all very down to earth, with bottles Chin Chin at the bar, to lure the natty wine (controversial) lovers from London.
All in all, this looks to be a great spot for a slice of the countryside, when you want to second away from London.
I’ve already booked in for a roast, so I’ll let you know on this one.
Book a table here.
3. De Kas, Amsterdam
The photos of this spot really sell it. But so much more so, their concept.
“Harvested in the morning. On your plate in the afternoon.”
You can’t argue that that’s not a good thing. The ever changing menu, all seasonly focused, is represented in the garden right behind you.
I came across this place when doing my standard ‘my map’ build for a trip to Amsterdam, but sadly the dates we flew and opening times - no stars aligned. But they might align for you.
As we come into warmer weather, you can’t not look at these shots and wish yourself to be sat right there.
On a garden chair, the smell of hay fever in the air, with the intense sun (the kind you only get through a greenhouse) beating down, as you sip a cold glass of wine and tuck into something freshly rustled up behind you…literally from a bush.
I know some people will find it all a bit much, but I just really like the idea of going for the experience of it all. Because sometimes the best meals really are just a bit different.
Book 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.
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.