Amy Poon was brought up in the restaurant world, as the daughter of well-known chef Bill Poon. This month she’s aiming to open the first bricks and mortar home for her Chinese food brand Poon’s London at Spa Terminus in Bermondsey. A resident of Notting Hill, she’s agreed to share her favourite local spots with Hot Dinners readers.
Clarke’s
124 Kensington Church St, London W8 4BH
An enduring classic. This is where I come if I want to feel grown-up and looked after. Exemplary cooking and service. For me, it resonates with Holly Golightly’s line about Tiffany’s, “It calms me down right away…nothing very bad could happen to you there…” It’s just rather elegant and fine, which is rare in our shouty world right now.
Kuro Bakery
95 Notting Hill Gate, London W11 3JZ
I don’t know who the pastry chef is and what sort of alchemy he/she practices in that kitchen but when my kids finished my pain aux raisins last weekend, I made them go back in their PJs to buy me a replacement!
The Blue Stoops
127-129 Kensington Church St, London W8 7LP
A welcome addition to the neighbourhood, which was in great need of a comfortable local serving good food. I can’t eat at Clarke’s every week so The Blue Stoops is certainly a fine alternative. Superior chips and a lovely buzzy dining room. They generously hosted a residents’ evening when they opened and now I know half my street – a lovely touch I thought which gives you an insight into the kind of people who own it.
Lea & Sandeman
106 Kensington Church St, London W8 4BH
Possibly the friendliest, most accommodating wine shop in London! My husband works in the wine trade. I think they are the reason he won’t move. Makes us sound excessive but they will pop as many cases of wine as we ask for on a trolley and wheel them over with a smile! That’s service that’s hard to beat.
Lidgates
110 Holland Park Ave, London W11 4UA
Wonderful family butcher that has been here for as long as I can remember. I used to shop here thirty plus years ago. Their pies are famous - lamb and apricot is everyone’s favourite. They come in proper pie dishes and not those disposable foil containers. Delicious sausage rolls and they will source almost anything for you if you ask in advance. They have super promotions every week which are well worth signing up for.
For more of these local area guides, visit the My Manor page.
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