Both of the sharing platters (you're going to need a decent-sized table...)
We'll assume that seafood and fizz is involved, yes?
That's right. This is a new opening from the owners of next-door restaurant La Mia Mamma (a favourite of Stanley Tucci). This space used to be their deli, now it's a seafood bar, specialising in panini and various seafood platters.
Where is it?
You'll find it sandwiched between La Mia Mamma and the Biscuiteers shop and cafe. It's only a couple of minutes' walk from Ladbroke Grove station.
Where should we sit?
At the time of visiting, London was still in the grip of a mini ice age, but that didn't deter plenty of people opting to sit out on the large terrace (the table nearest the window has heating FYI). But we loved our window table which proved impossible to beat for people-watching.
This corner window table is the one to go for.
So what's on the menu?
Think of this as a culinary tour around southern Italy - with dishes inspired by Sicily, Puglia, Sardinia and the Amalfi coast.
Sections are loosely divided into whether the fish is raw or cooked, so you can try their mammoth panini or foccacia bruschetta or roam around their tapas and raw dish sections. Alternatively, you could head to the sharing boards if decision-making is burdensome for you. That's what we did.
There are two sharing options. First up is the fritto misto al metro which is an absolutely massive amount of fried seafood which comes with unbilled chips and fried panelle (chickpea fritters).
As billed, this is a metre long sharing board of calamari, fried prawns, whitebait, panelle, chips and salad. (£18 per person - an absolute steal of a bargain for West London). Portions are extremely generous, so consider that if you're also planning on trying other dishes from the menu.
Next is their Tagliere de Mare. Served on a two-tier tray it's a run-through of parts of their entire menu including bite-size bits of bruschette. If you're looking for an easy introduction to what Fish & Bubbles is all about this comes highly recommended and is, again, just £18 per person.
Featuring dishes like caponata with swordfish, salmon tartare with lemon ricotta and bruschette with spicy cime di rapa, anchovies and stracciatella, this is a great way to try almost the whole of the restaurant's menu.
This is what their panini looks like - they are pretty massive.
Room for dessert?
Absolutely not as far as we were concerned, but if you do fancy them, there's a short list of desserts supplied by next door La Mia Mamma.
What about the wine list?
As the name suggests, fizz is the focus of the wine offering here, whether that's an Aperol Spritz or a range through a short list of Italian fizz options. Prosecco by the glass is a well priced £7.95 and if you're looking it by the bottle, there's a £35 bottle of Lambrusco that sounds very enticing. Negronis are also a big thing here with their signature one enlivened with sea salt.
Overall thoughts:
It's hard for London restaurants to manage to bring that Mediterranean seafood vibe to central London. Disregarding issues with the views and the weather, there's always the problem that everything in London costs way more than it would if you were in some seafood shack in Italy. But Fish & Bubbles with its friendly staff and succinct and well-priced offering have shown there is a way to do this successfully. It was packed inside and out when we visited on a weekend lunchtime, and we can see why.
More about Fish & Bubbles
Where is it? 192 Kensington Park Road, Notting Hill, W11 2ES
Find out more: Visit their website or follow them on Instagram @fishandbubbleslondon.
Hot Dinners dined as guest of Fish & Bubbles. Prices correct at time of publication.
Subscribe to be the first to get the news from Hot Dinners
