London
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209 Westbourne Park Road
London W11 1EA
+44 (0) 20 7243 9818
Bumpkin is a restaurant in the guise of a pub, serving fantastic British food and real ales in a thoughtfully decorated interior - with Notting Hill prices to match.
8 reviews
1 review
2 reviews 1 review 3 reviews 8 reviews
2 reviews 1 review 2 reviews 2 reviews
June 06, 2008
I just wasn't impressed with Bumpkin. Although they had good beers and cocktails, the food was just so-so. It was definitely comfort food, but the same type of comfort food that can be had at pubs. I'd rather skip the long queues or having to call in advance for a reservation and use that time to walk to my local to enjoy the same type of food.
March 18, 2008
Order the Clementini is fanTAStic!
The surprise about bumpkin is the awesome cocktails, good wine list, and fun and flirty bar staff. They test and taste everything they prepare and the presentation is first class.
The menu is good, and it does what it says on the tin (traditional english comfort food), but the portions are a bit big, the food a bit greasy, bugger all veg, and you're left feeling more than a bit lardy. Yucko. And for what? Nothing unique. Desserts were bloody great though. Proper puddings. But I go back for the clementinis!!!
March 10, 2008
I think this neighbourhood was in need of a place like Bumpkin because it’s always busy and rightfully so. The manager said they are booked for the weekend by Monday or Tuesday. That’s a good sign.
Bumpkin has taken over the entire house so covers 5 floors. The main floor where you enter is the Brassiere which has a small bar to wait for a table (you can’t book ahead in the Brassiere which is where we ended up b/c we waited too late to book a table in the restaurant); one long wood table for diners to share with other patrons; and tables along the walls with dark red leather booths. The decor is farmhouse eclectic with a mishmash of furniture and different wallpaper (but trendy) on each floor. It has a really nice feel to it; every comfortable. The 1st floor is the main restaurant with an open kitchen and the top 2 floors are for hire, although the very top floor is also another bar/waiting area if not hired out.
We arrived early to make sure we got a table and it was no problem. It really starts to fill up after 8. Everyone was extremely friendly. Definitely 5 stars on service. We even asked the manager if we could take photos for Tipped and she welcomed it and then gave us a tour of the place. Our waitress helped us choose a wine from their extensive and impressive wine list and even let us sample a couple before deciding on a bottle. Her recommendation was spot on too (I guess they do wine tastings for the staff so they are more knowledgeable about the wines).
The food was good but not great. A large selection of British comfort food alongside up-market, yet wholesome dishes, using only seasonal ingredients. I had the Peppered Seared Tuna with shaved fennel (£8) to start which was delicious and my husband and uncle had the mixed beetroot salad with mouldy (in a good way) goat’s cheese (£7). Also delicious. So 4 starts on the starters. For our mains, I went basic and ordered the grilled winter vegetables of squash, purple sprouting broccoli and salted pinenuts (£10). Mediocre as my squash was under-cooked (and I even like my veggies al dente) and it was bland – I had to keep seasoning it with pepper and salt. But my husband loved his Cornish Charter pie (£12) which is chicken, ham and leeks in a creamy sauce. It was really good I have to admit but usually the unhealthy dishes are. Our uncle had the calves liver and ate every morsel after he had to send it back b/c it came rare and he ordered it medium.
So they have a little (just a little) work to do around the food quality but I will certainly be back b/c of the vibe, the service and the potential in my mind to be really good.
December 07, 2007
Stopped here for Saturday brunch on my way to Portobello market. The full english - you can't go wrong. My eggs were poached perfectly, my husband's sunny side up got the thumbs up. Great brunch spot. My only small gripe was a cold cappuccino. But it was replaced with a hot one quick smart so the error was quickly rectified. I'll be back.
October 31, 2007
Great for week night dates or Sunday afternoon nosh up if you are skipping a brunch somewhere.
Food here simply tastes 'good'. Very wholesome and the decor is rich and beautiful.
Also great for taking the slightly more 'mature' diner - handy if the parents are in town.
Service is absolutely equisit. You are treated very personally and with respect. One of the best places I have been to for good service in London - and that counts for a lot. Highly recommended.
October 11, 2007
When Bumpkin was first opening up in the neighbourhood, I was convinced that it was a maternity shop. I quickly found out how wrong I was.
Bumpkin is deemed to be a "country brasserie" - whatever the hell that means (I'm actually surprised that I didn't vomit a little in my mouth with that sort of yuppie bulls*it tagline). Despite its over marketed posh sounding tagline, Bumpkin is a relatively solid place to get some downhome rustic grub.
The menu consists of fresh starters such as crab cakes and tuna/rocket salad. Then you move on to pots and pies - my personal favourite on a rainy day is their Shepards Pie. You also have a good selection of rotisserie, meats and fish. All of this is rounded off with some nice puddings.
Upstairs is a little posher experience which I've only attempted once. The food is more refined and the dining room a bit quieter. I personally prefer the casual appeal of the downstairs area and the menu as well.
Cocktail menu is pretty decent. The wine list is average.
Service is really friendly and efficient. Their little uniforms are also kind of cute - they read Country Boy and Country Girl.
Bumpkin also serves brunch and Sunday Roast. Be sure to book ahead for Sunday Roast because it is usually packed.
One thing that annoys me a bit is they don't take reservations for the downstairs dining room so you can end up waiting for a while at the not so comfortable bar area.
October 11, 2007
... but I had to kill her. For some reason this old Guns and Roses song seems perfect for Bumpkin. OK, maybe "I want to love her but she just keeps letting me down" is a little softer and appropriate, but not exactly a rock song. I digress. Net/Net, this is a lovely neighbourhood spot. It gets so much right… the room is perfect, the service is attentive and everyone just seems happy to be there. All the food is organic and seasonal. I’ve been wowed by the pumpkin salad and disappointed in the lamb. So why am I quoting Axel? Without fail, every time I go to Bumpkin there is a hair in my food… and I’ve been FOUR times now. It’s become predictable…. But I’d much rather look forward to the seasonal sprouts. Hairnets anyone?
