H O T S P O T S Notting
H O T S P O T S Notting Hill’s New Groove A host of openings prove W11’s appeal has lasted long beyond the Hollywood craze BY ALEX GORTON It’s been more than 15 years since the namesake movie was in cinemas, and though the film crews and the famous Travel Bookshop may be gone, the buzz in the indie-chic neighbourhood has never been stronger. After Hours One of three recent restaurants that have debuted on Golborne Road, West Thirty Six is a rambling grill house and cocktail bar from the team behind Notting Hill stalwart Beach Blanket Babylon. The four-storey hangout lies opposite local landmark the Trellick Tower and includes lounge areas and two outdoor spaces with an open grill and bar. w36.co.uk Top Table The first West London outpost of the Venetian-style bàcaro from successful restaurateur Russell Norman, this iteration of Polpo is double the size of its Soho sister. Just as buzzy, it features small Italian plates, killer cocktails and a fun, easygoing vibe. polpo.co.uk Exotic Eats Casa Cruz is the latest opening by Buenos Aires native Juan Santa Cruz: a Latin-meets- London Argentinian eatery that occupies the site of the former Clarendon pub with a cosy outdoor roof terrace where guests can make the most of the odd balmy night. casacruz-restaurant.com The Good Life Healthy living has hit Portobello Road with the launch of Farm Girl, a laid-back Australian-inspired cafe where a mix of nutritious dishes, cold-pressed juices and superfood smoothies are on offer. Done up by Beata Heuman, the interiors evoke owner Rose Mann’s childhood memories of growing up on a farm in the outback, while the secluded courtyard provides the perfect place for an alfresco coffee. thefarmgirl.co.uk Home from Home Based on a fictional flatshare and designed to look like an apartment, The Little Yellow Door is a pop-up with a difference. The menu is eclectic and the vibe relaxed, with Saturdays devoted to “house parties”, Thursdays and Fridays to exclusive soirees, and Wednesday, the newest night, all about casual kitchen suppers. Open until autumn. thelittleyellowdoor.co.uk Locavore’s Locale With a location on the increasingly foodie Golborne Road, John Doe has been an instant hit with the city’s gastronomes. Sustainably sourced, wild British produce provides the ingredients for dishes cooked over wood and charcoal, creating smoky flavours that perfectly represent the taste of the British countryside. johndoerestaurants.com Heritage Hostelry Spread over five mansions on Pembridge Gardens, The Laslett embodies the spirit of the neighbourhood with 51 rooms fashioned in the style of an au courant townhouse. A blend of modern British furnishings, local antiques and quirky artefacts decorate the space, which features a concept store with locally sourced indie brands, a café and kitchen with food by Sally Clarke. thelaslett.co.uk The Sweetest Thing With cocoa sourced from his organic family farms in Madagascar, Brazil and Southeast Asia, Bertil Åkesson is one of the world leaders in chocolate, having supplied everyone from Valrhona and Alain Ducasse to Bonnat. Now, he has a little boutique on Blenheim Crescent to purvey his wares in the UK. akessons-organic.com True North Serving an assortment of classic Danish dishes, coffee and Scandinavian beers in a light-filled setting (think pine flooring, oak counters and vintage Louis Poulsen lamps), Snaps + Rye is a newbie Nordic import that also boasts a range of books, food and accessories for Scandi-loving enthusiasts to fall in love with. snapsandrye.com CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: © WEST THIRTY SIX, © THE LITTLE YELLOW DOOR, © THE LASLETT, © ÅKESSON’S, © JOHN DOE RESTAURANT, © SNAPS + RYE, © CASA CRUZ, JACK HIRONS 40 DEPARTURES-INTERNATIONAL.COM CONTACT PLATINUM CARD SERVICE FOR BOOKINGS
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