SWnineteen is a firm favourite of mine (and many fellow Wimbledonians), so my friends and I couldn’t resist the chance to pop down to the ever stylish bar and try some of their fantastic new culinary delights.
After whetting the appetite with fresh baked Garlic Bread, we shared a goats cheese timbale (with a piccalilli sauce to swoon over) and a wonderful Carpaccio of Ostrich teamed with a tangy potato salad. A selection of bread and amazing pates followed, alongside an antipasti platter featuring the most beautiful roast sweet peppers.
For mains, Steve enjoyed the roast breast of duck, and I promptly stole the amazing garlicky Dauphinoise Potatoes that accompanied it. Vicky tucked into a beautiful trio of lamb cutlets "Greque", marinated in Greek yogurt and herbs.Being the vegetarian of the group, I chose the Cannelloni – a huge serving with lashings of the most creamy cheese sauce.
After an enormously satisfying meal, there was only one way to go and that was towards the desert menu. The fantastic chef, Michel-Paul Bechard, presented us with a selection of guilt inducing dishes. My personal favourite was the zesty Raspberry Millefeuile, whilst Vicky favoured the Stawberries and Cream Tartuffo. Joint winner however, and the end to our meal, was the appropriately named Sex on a Plate (apparnetly named by a waitress after tasting the dish). The thick chocolate decadence served with Chantilly cream certainly left us with the feeling that we may have found our new love!
Helen Buchan
Place: SWnineteen, 4-5 High Street SW19 (020 8879 7020)
Feel: Smart and trendy
Taste: Imaginative and hearty
Cost: Starters from £3.65, mains from £8.35; deserts from £2.95