Garden Bar and Grill London Review
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The crowd in the bustling Garden Bar and Grill makes me feel youthful. I can tell I'm going to like this place. At 30, I'm one of the youngest, surrounded by suited folk in their early 30s and beyond, all clearly on comfortable incomes, stopping in on their way home from work. I don't work at the nearby Monsoon or Talk Talk offices and look positively shabby in comparison but don't feel at all out of place; As the night progresses, the sight of locals and regulars decked out in sports wear becomes more common.
The décor is like the clientele – its colonial contemporary feel exudes class without intimidation. A mishmash of conflicting styles from the colonial period comfortably blends like the tracksuits and ties: the walls are decorated with wooden panels and grand full length gold gilt mirrors; wooden blind slats cover the windows and two large Greek style urns house four tier lollypop trees, marking the entrance to a raised area with a bronze effect tiled floor, comfy looking Chesterfields and a cobbled-fronted fireplace.
Put in the corner like Dirty Dancing's “Baby”, sitting at a terracotta topped table, we feel like Peeping Toms with the perfect vantage point to watch without being seen. Pumping beats and the distant sound of nattering chums create a buzz without encroaching on conversation, although voices are raised in our lively chatter. Preoccupied with our problem solving, we finally remember to peruse the menu – a modest selection of standard gastropub dishes carefully selected, aiding fast decision-making, although still giving us plenty to think about.
The more friendly of our Jekyll and Hyde waitress duo helpfully selects a delicious extremely light Sauvignon Blanc from South Africa to accompany our enormous starters. My companion savours tasty grilled halloumi with roasted peppers on bruschetta with a generous side salad, while I tackle Italian salami accompanied by a stack of bread big enough to daunt the biggest bread lover.
Having showed uncharacteristic restraint by abandoning the majority of my bread pile, I'm ready for an enormous succulent aged steak smeared in melting garlic butter. Watching me chomp on my man-sized beef slab, my sidekick comments on the menu's disappointing lack of vegetarian options. Non-fish eaters would struggle but luckily my munching partner is happy with fishcakes, another substantial side salad and homemade tartare sauce - apparently tastier than the shop-brought “packaged sh*t”, thickened up with capers and gherkins.
As the evening dwindles so does the light in our dark ‘make-out’ corner and the DJ starts to set-up. Remembering where we are, we order our male substitutes for the evening - light moist chocolate fudge brownie perfectly offset by smooth vanilla ice cream. Plates virtually licked clean, our inquisitive nature takes us past the sign very directly stating ‘loo, to the garden to see what the restaurant is named after. A romantically lit Mediterranean style back terrace stretches out before us, alive with the merriment of partygoers who've hired this impressive space.
While the menu isn't groundbreaking, dishes are done well and reasonably priced. The Head Chef, Ari, is keen to please, offering a handful of new lunch specials every day and trying to “follow customer's” wishes, implying food can be tailored to suit. With its eclectic décor and clientele and no nonsense menu, The Garden Bar and Grill is the kind of place I might return to sample one of the all-day weekend barbecues - if the British weather ever decides to stabilise, that is!
Leo Owen (01 06 2010)
Garden Bar and Grill London Description
Garden Bar and Grill is a relaxed, contemporary pub with great food and the largest garden in Nottinghill and perhaps even central London.
The atmosphere is laid back and the style is an eclectic mix of stone mosaics, leather booths, candles and an abundance of flowers. The beautiful garden is always open for alfresco drinking, dining and weekend BBQ's.
We have an immensely talented kitchen team. Our food encompasses a European theme and we have several daily specials which utilise the freshest seasonal produce available from the market.
We can arrange parties, corporate evenings and bespoke events for 20 to 400.
In a previous life, the Garden bar used to be the venue of the very famous blues club – "Bad Bob's Blues" which for over twenty years welcomed the best in musical talent. We have taken heed of our musical heritage and expanded the old stage and now have regular acoustic nights.
Customer Reviews for Garden Bar and Grill
The following customer reviews are not endorsed by Fluid London and are simply those of users who wish to publish their independent experiences of Garden Bar and Grill.
“Shame as this place is a local bar, but shame about the staff. Waited ages to be served and when it came to servic - very poor. Won't be spending my hard earned cash there again. Change of management and staff - defo. Toilets could do with a clean every so often.”
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Sarah James, London (6 days ago)
“Had a great lunch here at the weekend, weather wasnt great but the waterway was!”
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Jemma Ray, London (1 months 29 days ago)
“Excellent food and atmosphere for a chilled Sunday afternoon/evening. The beer garden is the best feature of the pub. There is even an undercover section so you don't have to worry about the rain!! Highly recommended”
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Kate, [ Unknown ] (5 years 11 months 28 days ago)
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