Tipped

a charmer in Holland Park

January 24, 2008

Julie’s is what I consider a quintessential English restaurant: charming, cosy, rustic (creaky stairs, unlevelled flooring), bright & airy, and wonderfully fresh comfort food. It’s in an old house in beautiful Holland Park that is part of a Bed & Breakfast. You walk in via the small downstairs bar, which is long and dark with a few tables in the window. A great place to have a cocktail, or Virgin Mary for me thank you (they make a mean one that is nice and spicy), or glass of wine and watch what’s going on outside on the tiny square with a few shops.

Upstairs is where the dining room is or you can sit out back on their terrace, which is lovely during the summer and secluded in between the houses. They also have private dining rooms.

The food and service are what keep me going back though. Although the greeter gal isn’t so friendly (not the one who takes your coats, but the one in the bar who checks your reservation), the waitstaff are great. The guy in Brazilian and because my last name is Brazil, always remembers me and it so sweet. Not sure how it is if you don’t have my last name or a tie to Brazil. I have never been disappointed in their food. The portions are huge which I love coming from America and every dish I’ve had is prepared perfectly. Expect seasonal and healthy items, like fresh salads or smoked mackerel or pate. I seem to always get a fish dish, usually salmon or seabass, and it’s always tasty.

It's not exactly cheap - starters around £8 and mains from £14-20. So that can add up if you have a cocktail, wine and coffee.

A girl’s day is perfect, eating at Julie’s and spending hours drinking wine there, after already being drowsy from the massage and facial you’ve had at Cowshed Spa across the street. They also do Sunday brunches but I haven’t tried it (yet).

Tags: Sunday brunch, groups, comfort food, healthy, terrace