Mere

Vibe & Decor

Located next door to Bubbledogs on Fitzrovia’s Charlotte Street, Mere’s understated entrance is easy to miss. Walk into the Lounge bar and you’ll be struck by how upscale yet relaxed it looks; low velvet seats and marble tables form the ideal pre-dinner cocktail spot. The main dining area might be downstairs, but this isn’t dingy basement dining – far from it. The ground-floor windows have been extended to double floor height, meaning the concrete-walled room is flooded with natural light. Little design touches reflect Monica’s heritage – bowls from her own home, Samoan tapestries, and artwork created especially for her and David.

Flavours

The menu at Mere is concise and classic, with a few surprises thrown in. It’s French fine dining with an injection of fun; mushroom tortellini with a touch of NZ marmite for an umami twist, lobster served three ways with a creamy potato mash, duck wrapped in a crispy pancake. As you’d expect from a Masterchef judge, each dish looks just as good as it tastes. The portions are hearty, and three courses will leave you feeling just the right amount of full.

Top Tip

Order the ‘Rhubarb’ dessert. It’s got a deceptively simple name, but it’s one of the best looking – and tasting – desserts we’ve had for a while. One for Instagram.

Highlight

The atmosphere. Mere is quiet without being dead, it’s relaxed without being lax, and it’s upscale without being fussy. It ticks all the boxes for what contemporary dining in the city should be.