Last Updated on June 10, 2019
Copper Leaf restaurant and gin bar – modern European dining in Hampton Wick
A modern European restaurant in Hampton Wick, a short distance from Kingston-upon-Thames, Copper Leaf is also a gin bar with an extensive list of over 60 gins. Guests can even choose a six-course tasting menu together with a paired gin flight.
Given the chance to review the recently opened Copper Leaf restaurant, and catch up with a local friend I hadn’t seen in a while, I was delighted to do so.
The restaurant is very easy to find, just over the Kingston bridge from the town, a cosy intimate setting for a tasty supper. The first to arrive I decided I should try one of the many gin cocktails from the drink menu. With so much choice I had difficulty deciding and asked the waiter for his recommendation before plumping for the Bees Knees cocktail. This cocktail is made from Tanqueray Flor de Sevilla gin. Tanqueray export gin, orange blossom honey, freshly squeezed orange and lemon juice and grapefruit bitters served with a piece of fresh honeycomb. It was sweet, fruity, and refreshing, a perfect start to the evening.
When my friend arrived we dined from the tapas, small sharing plates, menu rather than the A La Carte or tasting menu. It’s always good to share small tapas dishes with friends, you can eat as much or as little as you want.
The first four tapas plates appeared quickly; grilled octopus with paprika, capers and new potatoes, Padron peppers with chilli oil, Atlantic prawns with chilli and garlic oil and sautéed Spanish chorizo with red wine jus. All the dishes were beautifully presented and very tasty. My friend particularly enjoyed the Padron peppers and commented that she thought they were perfectly cooked and seasoned. My personal highlight was the chorizo dish, it was absolutely delicious with very succulent chorizo. To accompany our meal we chose a crisp, dry pinot grigio Venetia from the wine list.
The first dishes were followed by more tapas: Serrano ham croquettes with smoked paprika aioli, Manchego cheese croquettes with caramelised onions and pickled walnuts and cured salmon with beetroot, cucumber, salt and vinegar gel. The cured salmon looked very appealing, the taste was light and flavoursome.
After looking at the tapas menu again we decided to sample some lighter vegetarian tapas, so then tasted a pear and stilton salad with rocket and balsamic vinegar and tempura asparagus with a poached egg. As well as the standard meat and fish based tapas the menu also features vegan tapas, as well as vegetarian tapas, to cater for a vegan diet. Other dietary requirements such as gluten-free can be met if advance warning is given.
Having tucked into so many delicious savoury dishes we shared a light cheesecake and a pannacotta for our dessert.
We both agreed that we had dined excellently and had a lovely evening. My friend, who lives in Twickenham not far from the Copper Leaf London, thought the restaurant and food were amazing, she is definitely planning to return again to dine in the near future.
If you are looking for high-quality tapas, at a reasonable price, I would definitely recommend the Copper Leaf restaurant and kitchen. Even if you don’t want to eat, it would also be an excellent bar to visit and sample the gins, there are around sixty different gins if you are a fan of gin.
Copper Leaf Restaurant,
5 High Street,
Hampton Wick,
Kingston Bridge,
Kingston upon Thames KT1 4DA.
Tel: 0208 943 4502.
Website: www.copperleaflondon.co.uk, currently under construction.
There is a parking offer available, definitely an advantage given that the restaurant is situated on a busy road.
Looking for something different? We also love Chakra Indian Restaurant in Kingston upon Thames. For afternoon tea, Warren House offers a fine selection in elegant surroundings. And if you are willing to travel a little further, The Petersham Hotel offers a great menu and wonderful views of the river.
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