Fine dining without the faff
With the news that The Ledbury has re-opened this month, we thought it was time to finally publish our pre-COVID lunchtime visit from a couple of years ago! The Ledbury is in Notting Hill and is one of our favourite London food experiences so far. Some things are changing at The Ledbury, such as the menu on offer, opening hours and we have heard that the decor inside has changed as well. One thing that shouldn‘t be changing is the excellent food served without the need to dress formally as there is no dress code at The Ledbury.
That's not to say that it isn't an experience and that there isn't the expectation that you dress nicely, there's just a more relaxed atmosphere and chattier staff than in some other fine dining restaurants we’ve experienced in London. Also, look out for little touches like salt and pepper mills which resemble lighthouses.
Menus
Drinks Menu
Food Menu at The Ledbury
Our experience at The Ledbury
We ordered the set lunch and started with a bottle of The Willie Gunn cider for Mark and a glass of Prophet's Rock Riesling for myself.
Roasted crumpet with brown butter
Bread is often our barometer for how a meal will transpire and this was excellent - crunchy, malty and freshly baked, served with goat whey butter.
Bull's Heart Tomato, Dried Scallop and Chardonnay. A large ‘meaty‘ tomato with sweetcorn, shaved chorizo, rocket and basil, which we also find compliments meaty flavours making this a mildly spicy and meaty starter.
Smoked Eel, Celeriac Baked in Clay, Char Roe and Sake. Delicate slices which tasted very much like smoked mackeral.
Slow-Cooked Duck Leg, Sweetcorn, Lemon Thyme and Girolles. Melt-in-the-mouth maillard duck skin with a light smokey taste, earthy mushroom flavour and charred sweetcorn, which we love but often find missing from Michelin star menus.
A pre-dessert of whipped ewes milk yoghurt, watermelon and verbena. It was hot in London that day and this was just what was needed. Very cooling and refreshing.
Millefeuille, English Strawberries, Olive Oil and Thyme. Another lighter dish for this summer menu. Such delicate pastry. The Thyme worked excellently with the cream and strawberries, imparting an almost minty flavour.
We were advised that we couldn't leave without trying their famous brown sugar tart. Served with stem ginger ice cream and poached grapes. WOW really, keep some space for this. Smooth, sugar and luxurious in every bite.
As we pleasantly found the restaurant to be relaxed we chatted to staff a fair bit and must’ve said something right as we were invited down to the kitchen to meet Brett and the rest of the kitchen team (we didn‘t say we were bloggers). It was roasting down there. You know London in summer is bad enough?! I don't know how they keep their cool and produce such delightful food.
Many thanks to Brett and the team at The Ledbury for such a memorable meal.
Where
127 Ledbury Rd,
Notting Hill,
London W11 2AQ
Closest Tube Stations are Westbourne Park and Notting Hill Gate.
Opening Hours
Throughout February 2022 they are open for Dinner only, their opening hours are:
Tuesday – Saturday 18.00 - 21.45
From March 2022 onwards their opening hours are:
Dinner - Tuesday – Saturday 18.00 - 21.45
Lunch - Friday & Saturday 12.00 – 14.00
The Ledbury is closed on Sunday and Monday.
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