charlotte horne

31st March

"Great moderately priced restaurant. I have been here many times and I think this place deserves a rave. It is great food for the area"

MyVillage Oct

02nd March

""Situated behind the chaos of Notting Hill gate The Mall Tavern is worlds away from the craziness that is the artery bringing the hip and trendy to Notting Hill to get a slice of it's fashion, market and, in my case, culinary coolness. You've probably passed The Mall Tavern on more than a few occasions, perhaps on the bus, perhaps on foot, but you probably didn't notice it when it was in it's previous incarnation, a non-descript down and out pub of the same name.

"But since Spring this year, The Mall Tavern has quietly been winning the hearts of Notting Hill gastronomic experts and local alike. And it's easy to see why. The menu is simple, non-fussy cuisine that's quite simply luscious. It's the third project by the people behind the equally fabulous William IV on Harrow Road, and the wonderful El Parador in Camden. These people sure know how to throw together a bar/restaurant. Now, the venue is a light and airy space with a restaurant on one side and pub space on the other, and a delightful garden space at the back.

"I visited the restaurant recently and was more than impressed with the well-presented food that manages to strike that perfect balance between upmarket gastro-pub influenced grub and full-blown restaurant dishes. That perfect balance being reasonable prices for excellent food. To start, on good advice of my insider, I choose the Potage Solfarino, a tomato-based soup made with potato and leek.

"Apparently this was the chef's family recipe and, sure enough, tasted like something of the hearty and flavoursome quality produced from a grandmother's kitchen. I had been eyeing with glee the chicken liver parfait with cornichons and chutney, so bribed my dining companions with a promise of soup to trade tastes of the smooth parfait. Delicious. And a good generous portion too, for £4.50.

"From the mains, we collectively choose the crispy duck confit (melt-in-the-mouth), braised red cabbage and garlic roast potatoes, caramelised scallops, roast tomatoes, lardon and basil beurre noisette (I patted myself on the back for this choice) and char grilled sirloin steak, mash and red wine sauce, (a little overcooked). The mash, however, was the stuff of dreams, and apparently this chef has mastered the science of creating the perfect mash; not lumpy, and just the right creamy consistency. The price of the mains range between £8.50 and £14.50, but they also have an assorted meze plate for £5.50 which is apparently extremely good value. The wine list has a good selection of new and old world wines, with nothing priced over £25.

It was hard to resist the dessert menu, and although I was full to bursting managed to fit in a gorgeously moist summer pudding, a taste of deliciously warm chocolate hazelnut pudding. If you don't fancy a full blown meal and feel like just a snack, I can thoroughly recommend the cheeseboard as it had enough well-chosen cheeses on it to feed a small army.

"The verdict? Great value for money, generous portions and a carefully constructed menu which will have something for everyone. They change the menu daily, and also have a great value set menu for £9 for two courses and £12 for three courses. Watch this space for the rise of this restaurant as a Notting Hill/Kensington favourite!""

Peter Evans

02nd March

""I would endorse everything printed in "My Village". I have eaten there twice and came away with nothing but praise for both chef and staff. Good range of wines, especially the Chilean Casablanca Cabernet Sauvignon. This is a restaurant that is clearly a true part of modern gastronomy. May their popularity grow!""