Hells Gibson Affordable Fine Dining at Ayllu
I rarely find myself in Paddington, if I can help it. It’s always felt like a place to pass through, rather than a destination. And it certainly isn’t somewhere I would think to journey to for good, affordable food. That is, until recently.
A friend and I ventured to W2 on a boring Tuesday night, with the promise of “affordable fine dining, where Japanese precision meets Peruvian warmth.” My hopes weren’t high, and the sea of grey-faced commuters trudging to the train station didn’t help lift them.
So, I was surprised when we reached Smith’s Bar & Grill and were met by a warmly lit restaurant sitting on the canal side. But even more surprised when we were led through said restaurant and downstairs, to a hidden haven called Ayllu.
The room was buzzing, every table full of people; first dates, large laughing groups, and whispering business deals. We were sat at a well-dressed table and promptly given a beautifully curated cocktail list. I was in heaven.
I was told that Ayllu is “redefining affordable fine dining in London”, and that’s an understatement. The Japanese-Peruvian menu includes classic dishes like Beef Empanadas and platters of sushi, but it’s so much more than that.
We started off with a cocktail each – a whiskey sour and porn star martini; straightforward drinks but easy to get wrong. Not here, not at Ayllu. The cocktails were perfectly balanced, expertly mixed and dangerously good. And then there is the food… with such affordable prices, it’s hard to not order everything, but we pretty much did.
The salmon sushi platter was generous, the chicken Karaage was crispy and rich in flavour without being greasy. The slow-cooked shredded pork shoulder bao buns were flavourful with chipotle honey, rosemary and chipotle mayo, and the tuna tacos were fresh and citrusy with a soy, ginger, coriander, sesame dressing and a perfect crunch from the light taco shells. But it was the mains that really impressed us; A gorgeous large bowl of rice topped with breaded sweet potato, swimming in a sweet and perfectly spicy Katsu curry, and a hefty, short beef rib soaked in deeply rich jus served with creamy mash potato. And don’t get me started on the Dragon Roll, a last-minute addition to our order, but some of the greatest Uramaki I’ve had since my trip to Japan last year. And at such affordable prices, it’s a wonder how this place isn’t more well-known.
The only problem with Ayllu is that it’s in Paddington, and therefore not close enough to my flat that I can go every day. Other than that, it’s perfection.
Lunch & early dinner menu at £24pp and tasting menus from £39pp.
Book a table at Ayllu
Click here to book a table directly with Ayllu Restaurant.
Where is Ayllu
25 Sheldon Square, Paddington Central London W2 6EY
 
