Fluid Eating's Review of My Dining Room
My Dad drops me off, parentally. My date is waiting for me, patiently. My punctuality is woeful, patently. My excuses are muttered, and believed. My conscience is clear. My idle chit-chat is iffy, as is my time-keeping. My directional awareness is not much better. My educated guess proves accurate, though. My date and I amble to our destination. My watch equates the stroll to around 5 minutes.
My eyesight is not what it used to be. My initial remark is “I’m not seeing it”. My Dining Room isn’t particularly prominent. My feeling is: this is a good thing. My thoughts play on the word ‘unassuming’. My assumptions derive from a quick surveillance of the casual outdoor chair-and-table scene.
My manners offer the open door. My guest obliges and steps inside. My eye immediately clocks the fresh flower-strewn bistro. My friends are sat, laughing, near the open fire. My, my, what a mistake! My friends, these are not, but they could be.
My derrière seated. My overcoat removed. My cocktail noted for its strength. My discourse begins. My chosen topic: the bar. My penchant for homemade syrups in cocktails is pacified. My guest delights at noting every wine by the glass or carafe. My response, “Most of them are Old World, too, which means they’re largely organic”. My attention is suddenly distracted. My investigation of the enticing canapes at the bar becomes paramount.
My arm is quickly lead to the restaurant, passing through the dark lounge/living room. My new name for this section is ‘The Nook’. My reason being, it’s cosiness stems from low lighting, low seating and nifty book-swap shelf. My guess is that Saturday lunches and intimate situations would benefit.
My foot set in the restaurant, my memory instantly recalls a visit to the amazing Portal restaurant in Farringdon. My recollection sees similarities between the then and the now. My mind’s eye sees a high garden wall and the dominance of natural light. My actual eye sees exactly the same.
My word for the lampshades is ‘subtle’. My word for the ceiling is ‘bold’, or maybe ‘velvet’. My word for the overall stylistic theme is ‘undecided’, being torn between ‘metallic’, ‘floral’, and ‘red’. My love for the wallpaper is unconditional.
My eye flitters across the menu. My admiration commends the use of Daylesford Organic, day boat fishing, and the “hideously local” H.G.Walters of Baron’s Court (officially Best Small Butcher In Britain).
My instincts detect variety, of the hearty kind, with not much love for pesky vegetarians - oh well. My evaluation of the prices is that they’re in the manageable teens (even though ‘manageable teens’ sounds like an oxymoron).
My kids could eat here, if I had any. My menu would be their menu, with everything offered at half portion half priced, instead of a presumptive children's’ listing. My kids would like this, I think.
My wine is chosen by a Frenchman (the manager), a very nice Frenchman. My faith is put in his hands. My goodness, and I’m thankful! My Verdicchio di Matelica is ideal with the grilled sardine starter. My sardines are ideal with the pesto and tapenade. My breath is not happy about the garlic, though. My date wont mind, she’s not expecting a snog anyway.
My slow roasted cuboids of pork belly are mighty gennnnnnnnnourous. My winter vegetables are equally lavish. My belly is stuffed. My mash is superfluous. My palate, utterly sated. My busy bowl of cinnamon spice ice cream and poached pear doesn’t help, but it is delicious. My dinner guest is nodding. My guess, she’s pleased with the tempura fish and shovel of chips.
My satisfied gaze circles the room. My estimation is that the clientele age range falls between 18 and 53. My overriding sense of community at My Dining Room is almost palpable. My dog is welcome. My kids are welcome. My laid-back time-keeping habits are welcome.
My preconceptions of this area revolve around provincial town chain pubs and South African theme bars. My giant hunger for burgers can be entertained at GBK. My need for the Latin Nandos can be quelled at Las Iguanas. My desire for a common unity, though, that can be found at My Dining Room.
My intention: to begin looking for property in the Fulham Broadway right away. My new favourite restaurant-bar-bistrot: My Dining Room.
Reviewed by Christian Rose-Day
DESCRIPTION: Positioned at the top end of the Fulham market and a few minutes walk from Fulham Broadway station, My Dining Room is neatly divided into sections.
The relaxed space has a feeling of intimacy akin to a private home and all rooms have been tastefully redecorated.
The lounge area is the perfect space for lingering around some food and cocktails, enjoying the warmth of our fire places.
The restaurant is a stylish space – clean, dark wood; velvet paneling with a full length terrace window which is great at dusk or sunny days. Everything here will make you feel at home and the staff will ensure you can relax whilst providing you with a professional service.
In the kitchen, Julian Marshall is heading the team. Formerly, head chef of Mosimann and The Lanesborough hotel, Julian has designed a menu that focuses on traditional home recipes, mixing classicism and modernity.
Many dishes are designed to be shared, served in a roasting tray or in large bowls.
My Dining Room relies also on local suppliers and their meat comes from H. G. Walters (a winner of the Butcher of the Year Award) and cheese from Daylesford Organic (award winning Cheddar). There is an obvious focus on sourcing the best seasonal ingredients and they are prepared to perfection by Julian and his team.
Finally the wine list features organic and biodynamic wines, all of them served by the glass or carafe leaving you to try some unusual wine like the Gamay d’Auvergne. The selection is large and covers all tastes and regions. (Updated 08/04/2010)
My Dining Room Food & Drink Menus
Listed below are few sample food and drinks items available at
My Dining Room. These lists are not enhaustive, but are instead designed to give you an overview of the venue's
offerings and assciated prices.
My Dining Room Food menu
| Item |
Price |
| Pork and black pudding croquettes |
£6.00 |
|
| Homemade charcuterie platter |
£7.50 |
|
| Fish and chips a la francaise |
£13.50 |
| Twisted version of an english classic |
| Ox cheek bourguignon |
£14.00 |
|
| Slow Roasted whole chicken |
£24.50 |
| Whole chicken for 2 to 3 people to share |
| Ile Flottante |
£5.00 |
|
| Vanilla creme brulee |
£5.00 |
|
| tatin of apple and quince |
£6.00 |
|
My Dining Room Drink menu
“You've hit the ball out the park! Incredible!”
Rating: 
— Dr Foge Foge, ogVCkmcx
(22 Apr 2011)
“This bar and restaurant is a true hidden gem. Nobody would hardly know it's there. But boy does it pack a punch. Fantastic food, really great wine list, plus it's a bar, a pub, and a restaurant all rolled into one. Perfect for those cosy Sunday afternoons. The staff are super friendly too so don't be afraid to ask questions. They know their stuff.”
Rating:
— Kenneth Tailspin, Chelsea
(08 Nov 2010)
“It's a few weeks ago now since I went but the memory of it being a great restaurant hasn't faded. Starting with drinks at the bar (and a very nice cocktail it was too) allowed us soak up the atmosphere a bit before heading to the our table. There are several separate areas but each space flows into the other creating an overall relaxed and welcoming ambiance. The food was great, as was the service and the wine - it's rare to be able to order all wines by the glass so you can can pick and choose according to each course.
I went in the evening but I can imagine that it's a nice place to go for a coffee or lunch too. I'd definitely recommend a visit!”
Rating:
— Amanda, London
(18 Apr 2010)
“Perfect local restaurant providing great food, especially a selection of dishes you can share.
Service was friendly and efficient and the atmosphere is so warm and welcoming.”
Rating:
— olivier, london
(25 Mar 2010)
Like our review? Has one of the customer reviews for My Dining Room amsued you? Share it with the world!