I love Mayfair, I feel very lucky to live within walking distance of everything I like to eat, museums and arts to look at and soak in, theatre and music venues nearby and the best nightlife I think in the world but we don’t have an Ottolenghi.
If you haven’t been you have to go. The brand feels so new and fresh. You’d never imagined Ottolenghi started as a deli in Notting Hill Gate in 2002.
The master chef behind it Yotam Ottelenghi has created a place completely unique and individual, except there’s few different ones, Spitalfields, Islington, Hampstead, Richmond and Pavillion Road in Chelsea. When ever you go to one you immediately know it’s Ottolenghi, it’s difficult to explain but they have managed to create a stylish branded restaurant or bakery deli in some cases where the food and offering is seasonal and ever changing but the brand remains completely consistent. It’s a brand you can rely on if you see one you’ve not been to you are immediately drawn in. And for vegetarians and vegans it’s absolute paradise because everything starts with veg, the meat and fish although beautiful are secondary.It reminds me of the gorgeous Mount Street deli before it closed down.
And the food at Ottolenghi is out of this world. I’ve never had a bad meal here. It’s one of the only reasons to leave Mayfair, I love it so much my friends and I say let’s go to Ottolenghi at least a couple of times.
It’s a relaxed lunch or dinner place, more cafe vibes than full on restaurant although they do serve alcohol. The cakes and baked goods are delectable so also a great option if you just want a piping hot coffee or hot chocolate and a sticky bun.
And you don’t need a reservation, it does get busy and you might encounter a few kids but I’ve never had to wait longer than a few minutes for a table. If it’s a big group or birthday party it would be probably wise to let them know ahead. I’ve seen a few of these happening but the children have been very well behaved.
It’s the kind of casual place dogs and kids are very welcome. I could imagine spotting Nigella Lawson tucking into something tasty with her brood after school.
It’s like a big Mediterranean buffet where the plates start with inventive ready made salads all plant based perfectly filling and tasty on their own but then chicken, salmon, sea bass, and other meat and fish options, steak, prawn are offered seasonally to accompany.
The fact is it’s always the same but always different at Ottolenghi. Something they group has mastered with ease.
The one negative, I have experienced the staff can be a bit abrupt if you catch them on a bad day. I go a lot and it’s happened more than once. The foods so good though I haven’t let that put me off.
Oh and fantastic cookbooks, food to go, gifts and hampers if you have a foodie in your family and don’t know what to surprise them with. Ottelenghi is a very exciting and unique place. Magical especially at this time of year, December time when they do go overboard on the decorations. Yes every sense will be stimulated.
The cost for lunch per person is about £25 without alcohol. So not cheap but not super expensive. I’d say somewhere in the middle for London.