Bumpkin Overview
Bumpkin is only two weeks old (Nov 2006) when I visit but it already has an established and comfortable air. Despite occupying three floors - a brasserie downstairs, a more refined restaurant above and an aprés dinner whisky/backgammon room at the top, it is packed.
The word has clearly spread that this really is the 'Best of British'. Brought to us by the owners of Cocoon, Boujis, Volstead and Eclipse it is perhaps not surprising that this is a hit.
We are seated in the restaurant (rather than the loud and cheery brasserie), where there is a more sober atmosphere, and a slightly different menu. It is not so sober that we do not tuck into the cocktails. A smoked heather dram - containing heather (delightfully) sourced from the owner’s grandmother’s garden and a warming apple concoction. Both are excellent.
Bumpkin's pride and joy is not only its comfy country feel (more chic than bumpkin I must say), but it's locally sourced, organic, free trade (and the rest of it) food.
All options are seasonally changed. So since it is winter there is the roasted squash, pine nut, goats cheese and watercress salad (which is as delicious as it sounds), and rare yellow-fin tuna, which my dining companion is equally pleased with. Starters are between £4.50 and £8 each.
Main course just as lovingly prepared (in the open kitchen). And both the lamb, potatoes and black olives, and the organic Scottish salmon with red and white carrots are fine choices. They are priced between £14.50 and £21.
The wine we sip is recommended by the helpful waiter (though in fact the menu is helpful in itself, categorising wines into 'Bold and Beautiful', 'Rich and Succulent' and the less appealing 'Simple and Honest'.
A pudding is not necessary after all this but too good to resist. We opt for a chocolate brownie and the popular sticky toffee pudding.
Bumpkin feels like a country retreat despite being in the heart of Notting Hill - perfect for a long, lazy evening, or the marvellous sounding Sunday roast (and only £20).
On my way out I overhear the owner telling a guest "We just wanted to make a really nice restaurant" Well he can rest assured he has definitely done this.
A meal for two including drink comes to about £85. (Updated 23/01/2007)
Additional Info: Late License, Food, Non-Smoking Area
Nearby Venues:
- Raoul's Café & Bar (Notting Hill), Eclectic (0.13km)
- Ruby & Sequoia, Eclectic (0.16km)
- Uli, [Other/Unclassified] (0.16km)
- Manor Bar & Restaurant, Mediterranean (0.16km)
- Ledbury (The), French (0.17km)
- Ripe Tomato, [Other/Unclassified] (0.18km)
- Bali Sugar, [Other/Unclassified] (0.22km)
- First Floor, [Other/Unclassified] (0.30km)
- Lucky Seven, [Other/Unclassified] (0.32km)
- Oak (The), [Other/Unclassified] (0.32km)
|