Even on a wet wintry night, this corner pub was warm and welcoming.
So what do we need to know about The Holland?
This neighbourhood pub has had a full makeover starting with a new name courtesy of its new owner, chef Max de Nahlikl. Max you might know from his well-reviewed pop-up Oxalis which has been roaming around London for a while now. He's also spent time working at the organic Duke of Cambridge pub in Islington.
Where is it exactly?
The nearest tube is probably Earls Court and it's about a ten-minute walk from there and just off Kensington High Street.
Where should we sit?
There is an airy dining room up on the first floor, but on the occasion we visited, everyone was very snug down on the ground floor. The pub's on a corner site, so it ought to be flooded with light if you're here for Sunday lunch.
The upstairs dining room - it wasn't open when we visited, but does look rather enticing.
What sort of menu are we talking about?
Chef Max places great store on sustainability and ethical means of food production. He's plundering what he calls "the UK's wild larder" for dishes which are broadly international in outlook.
Here's what we had to give you a flavour of what to expect:
Fennel salami, kohlrabi remoulade (£10)
Spiced brown crab on toast (£10) - probably the dish you've seen on Insta from here and given a great kick with Max's own hot sauce.
Sweetcorn, tomato, miso butter, chilli peanuts (£9) - a perfect dish for our dining companion who required gluten and dairy-free options.
Roast wild duck, crisp potato, celeriac, plum and bramble sauce (£24)
Mushroom ragu, white beans, pangratatto, truffle & parmesan (£17)
And we'd like to make an honourable mention for the leaf salad with tarragon dressing so delicious and light we literally couldn't stop snacking on it.
Room for dessert?
Definitely - it's a pretty short list so shouldn't take you too long to decide. A vegan chocolate pot with granola was very decent, but this was memorable.
Almond tart with Chantilly cream - we're very much on board with anyone eschewing the modern way of putting creme fraiche with desserts. This light, crumbly tart was a joy, all the more so with that cream.
What about the drinks list?
The appealing wine list focuses, in the main, on Europe and is pretty keenly priced with a glass of house white - an Alvarinho - just a fiver. We kicked off proceedings with a delicious drop of Alsatian Cremant Rose before moving onto a really good bottle of vegan-friendly Italian Pinot Nero (£55).
Overall thoughts:
What a lovely pub The Holland is. If this is your part of town you should definitely swing by and check it out whether you're thinking of a weekday dinner or maybe Sunday lunch. The staff are all super friendly, the vibe is good and the food is several steps above the ordinary. What more could you want from your local?
More about The Holland
Where is it? 25 Earls Court Road, London W8 6EB
Find out more: Visit their website or follow them on Instagram @thehollandkensington.
Hot Dinners dined as guests of The Holland. Prices correct at the time of publication.
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