Last Updated on September 15, 2020
Street food and alfresco dining – just what West London has been waiting for
Having lived in Shepherds Bush for more years than I care to mention, I was absolutely delighted to discover The Hawk’s Nest, London’s newest outdoor street food dining space which is located off the Goldhawk Road alongside the railway arches in the old goods yard which belonged to Shepherds Bush Market.
You know you’re on to something as you enter through a fabulous bird’s nest archway installed and designed by florist Lucy Vail into the hidden restaurant garden. There’s a giant colourful mural painted by artist Annie Fiddian-Green, alongside a display of some of her artwork in the railway arch. Bench seating (120 covers) for up to six on a table (convenient with the latest government rulings), pretty planters hanging wistfully from the brickwork, and arched walls painted in a soft hue of blue adorned with mirrored vintage window frames. Most of the seating areas have been covered and they have roof heaters all at the ready for when the weather turns, as well as the smaller indoor seating area and bar in the railway arch.
The space was vibrant and buzzing with a young West London crowd enjoying the late summer’s evening, to be honest, we could have been in Dalston, Peckham or Mercato Metropolitano in Elephant, but no, this great new venue is all ours, just what West London has been waiting for!
The Hawk’s Nest is the first venue from Bird House London, the joining of powerhouses from the London hospitality scene. Bird House London is run by Wil Fuller of Soho House Group and Frazer Timmerman, who oversaw the food and drinks offering for Incipio Group, the company behind cult street food dining favourite Pergola. Both have taken inspiration from their previous ventures and brought the best of both to create the ultimate hang out.
We met founder Wil who is utterly charming and hugely enthusiastic about his venture, brimming with ideas to make The Hawks Nest the place to go to for a time to come. They are planning jazz, comedy and quiz evenings and DJs spinning tunes into the night.
Keeping the with the outdoor street food theme, the menu focuses on Italian street food from Italian Street Food specialists, SUGO, with small bites including arancini, calamari, and taking centre stage is a converted shipping container, which houses a Gozney pizza oven serving a menu of stonebaked sourdough pizzas.
And it goes without saying that there’s a fully stocked cocktail bar serving fresh fruit margaritas – including their sought-after Blood Orange Margarita and whilst summer still lingers they are offering a variety of summer spritzers and frozen cocktails plus a seasonal wine list alongside London’s best craft beers from Camden Town Brewery.
We kicked off the evening with a cool pint of Camden Hell’s and a Summer Negroni, a light floral take on the classic Italian cocktail made with Tanqueray Flor de Seville, Belsazar Rose Vermouth and Aperol.
Food arrived in recyclable cardboard cartons, with starters from Sugo. Perfect little arancini bites – we tried both, which were equally scrumptious, one brimming with tasty mushroom and infused with truffle and the other – tomato and mozzarella – encased in an elegant crisp crust with a melting interior, served with chilli and garlic dip. The calamari was freshly cut and battered and went down a treat.
The pizzas were equally successful. With plenty of choice including aubergine & kale pizza with sundried tomato pesto for veggies or a Parma ham & asparagus pizza for those with carnivorous cravings.
I had the White Capriccioso, which was quite delicious with a white garlic base, mozzarella, mushroom, juicy artichokes, ham, and tangy black olives – a good combo. The base was super thin and crisp with a lovely light dough and a nicely charred crust.
My companion enjoyed his Funghi pizza, which was also on a white garlic base, with mozzarella, chestnut mushrooms, pine nuts, spring onion, and a balsamic glaze so that the sweetness of balsamic vinegar lifted the savoury flavours.
For pudding, they serve a selection of artisanal ice creams from another local W12 outlet Bertotti. Cute pots of luscious chocolate ice cream and mango sorbet.
We also enjoyed with a couple of glasses of Gavi de Gavi, zesty wine with notes of grapefruit and apricot.
The Hawk’s Nest provides the perfect local venue, it’s just what the area needs. It’s fun, it’s accessible and it won’t break the bank. Come on West Londoners let’s support this exciting new venture!
Monday – Wednesday 5 pm – 7 pm Any House Drink & Pizza for £10.
The Hawk’s Nest
Goldhawk Rd,
Shepherd’s Bush Market,
Shepherd’s Bush, London W12 8DF
Friday 12 pm–12 am
Saturday 12 pm–12 am
Sunday 12 pm–9 pm
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday 4 pm –10:30 pm
Telephone: +44 203620 6528
For all enquires for private hire or events: Email: reservations@thehawksnest.co.uk
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