Last Updated on September 12, 2024
The Henderson Bar and Kitchen at the Laslett, Notting Hill
There are parts of London where I struggle to find somewhere to relax with friends. Where the food and wine are good but not outrageously priced and where the atmosphere is chilled and no one tries to hurry you along for a second sitting. Where those who want to graze can do so happily alongside others looking for a most substantial meal. The Laslett Hotel is a hidden treasure, tucked away a few minutes from Notting Hill Gate station, but on a residential road.
It has a charming outdoor terrace, complete with comfy seating and heaters but, if the weather is inclement, you won’t be disappointed by the home-from-home interior – The Henderson Bar and Kitchen is a delightful space, with velvet banquettes and walls lined with contemporary art and books – and with fresh flowers on every table.
We’d planned to enjoy the terrace, but by the time we arrived the wind had picked up and the skies were ominously dark. Instead, we found a cosy nook inside and enjoyed a cocktail each while we checked out the menu.
My companion had a Margarita made with Ocho blanco tequila, triple sec and lime and I had a Feragaia Mule – a mocktail made with a zero-alcohol spirit, ginger beer and lime. Very refreshing, the mocktail was good enough to mean I really didn’t miss the alcohol.
And I was saving myself for the Mas des Infermières from legendary film director Ridley Scott’s family-owned vineyard in the Luberon. That includes a delicious Provençal rosé, perfect for this kind of grazing. Until September 30th, guests at the Laslett can choose from a dedicated menu of Mas des Infermières’ wines and suggested food pairings as chosen by Ridley and his team.
The menu has a range of options from boards of meats and cheeses to plates and bowls to satisfy even the hungriest diner. I was keen to share the Cobble Lane charcuterie board of fennel and garlic salami, coppa and bresaola with pickles and sourdough. Cobble Lane Cured is a specialist butchery based in Islington that makes its own charcuterie using high-quality British ingredients. I’ve tried their meats before and been impressed. I was not in the least disappointed on this occasion either. I love the idea that we can buy excellent charcuterie that is 100% British and was thrilled to see their products on the menu. The cheese board, a selection of Buchanan’s British Cheeses looked just as inviting, but you can’t have everything!
Our selection of dishes from the plates and bowls section comprised marinated chicken skewers with roasted peppers and farro tabbouleh salad, a watermelon and feta salad, labneh with roasted baby carrots and patatas bravas which we really didn’t need, but which I was craving!
The labneh was utterly delicious – a thick creamy cross between yoghurt and cheese served with sweet roasted baby carrots, chilli and herb oil. I’m currently experimenting with making my own labneh and while I haven’t managed to make anything as fabulous as the version I tried at the Laslett, I’m keen to taste the best so I have an end goal.
Watermelon salad with feta, mint and chilli flakes is one of my favourite summer specials. It was washed down with a glass of Mas des Infermières Luberon rosé like a bowlful of summer lighting up the rather miserable evening.
We couldn’t manage all the patatas bravas made from halved baby potatoes still in their skins and topped with a bravas sauce. That’s not a reflection of the food, just the diners who have eyes bigger than their stomachs! And we did want to try dessert.
Somehow I won the draw for the warmed brownie with vanilla ice cream, my idea of a perfect end to a meal. Beautifully gooey and made with rich, dark chocolate it was utterly delicious. Washed down with a glass of Mas des Infermières red wine and followed by a strong coffee, I was only sad that it had been too wet to sit outside on the terrace.
My companion’s gelato looked equally good. A little like Cobble Lane Charcuterie, the supplier, Hackney Gelato, is based in London but learnt their trade in Italy. Believe it or not, gelato is rather better for you than commercial ice cream because it is made with less cream and more milk and generally no eggs. A very slow churning process means that it has a softer, denser texture than ice cream. An artisan product like Hackney Gelato will have no additives or synthetic flavourings. So, you can eat gelato without any guilt at all!
We loved our evening at The Laslett and can happily recommend it. The outdoor terrace is charming and comfy and there are space heaters for chillier autumn evenings. And, if you are out of luck as we were, indoors really isn’t a bad option!
The Laslett
8 Pembridge Gardens
Notting Hill
London
W2 4DU
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