Eat & Drink
Originally published on Wednesday, 16th June 2010
The Lonsdale
Revived Notting Hill nightspot
48 Lonsdale Road, W11 2DE - 020 7727 4080 - www.thelonsdale.co.uk
Location
When it first opened this louche, cavernous West London hangout, tucked behind Westbourne Grove, became best known for its deliciously lethal cocktails, mixed by Henry Besant, and the odd star-studded lock-in.
Vibe
Now in the capable hands of Ben Entwistle and Tim Gardner (formerly of The Wellington Club and The Crazy Bear Hotel), with ex-Ivy Club Jasmine Walters looking after things front of house, we can hopefully expect some elegantly decadent nights to come, with service a notch above the norm.
Flavours
The food can now be taken a lot more seriously as the boys have managed to nab
former Hawksmoor chef Jason Wallace and have posh Mayfair butcher Allen’s supplying the beef, so the Cairngorm-reared rib-eye and Longhorn burger should be something to write home about. And cocktails are certainly not to be overlooked with former Momo’s barman Alex Palumbo in charge who has rediscovered some forgotten classics like the Drake’s Mojito that was apparently first concocted in Havana in 1586.
Décor
A little bit Seventies Bond Boudoir, with a hint of Thunderbirds, the design is courtesy of DTwo (who also kitted out Milk & Honey and Calloh Callay), with low mock-croc banquettes in the restaurant and glam lighting and slick lines in the bar.
Upshot
With a promising team now in charge, and a very decent standard of steak and cocktails on offer, this revamped local, that has been a bit hit and miss in recent years, finally seems to have everything going for it.
