The Riding House Cafe has been on my to-try in London list since its April opening, and since we found ourselves in the area on Saturday we popped in.
Photo above by Richard Lewisohn
It’s much more chi-chi than I was expecting from the name and *cough* free WordPress template website, with the feel of a classy brasserie rather than ‘caff’. Black-and-white clad waiters milled about the highly styled interior, with its slightly odd mix of retro leather banquettes, granny lightshades and a more modern industrial feel in the bar area.
The menu has the now-trendy mix of ‘small plates’ for sharing along with mains and a market selection of vegetables. We went for big dishes, starting with nibbles of spicy broad beans (addictively good) and lovely fresh warm bread with artichoke dip and good olive oil.
My sweet potato cake with halloumi and tomato jam was really tasty: well spiced and seasoned, with a side of perfectly cooked buttery broccoli. The market veg was well prepared too, heritage tomatoes with a caper dressing and lemony asparagus cooked just right. Josh had a huge portion of chorizo hash with oozy poached egg – the recipe for which is generously available on their website.
The desserts – including chocolate praline semifredo and rhubarb and raspberry fool – sounded tempting but we popped over the road to Kaffeine for a coffee instead! In short, it’s an elegant yet relaxed all-day diner with fresh, tasty food in the medium price bracket (£45 for our two mains, starter nibbles, 2 sides and drinks). I’d probably take my mum back.
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Ooo have been meaning to try this place, looks very good, and apparently meant to be good for breakfasts too?
Beautiful photographs! I really need to go-but the whole "small dishes" thing puts me off its not like its nouveau cuisine! heard the foie gras burger was good