Llewelyns Herne Hill

I belong to a number of closed ‘Mum groups’ on facebook. Many of them regularly have posts asking for restaurant recommendations and sometimes I foolishly give my opinion. Recently, someone asked where the nicest place to go for lunch in Herne Hill was to which I replied that I’d heard lots of good things about Llewelyn’s. In turn, I received a LLEWELYN’S IS SHOCKING reply and when I asked for specifics, my curiosity piqued, I was told that a mistake was made with their order, they missed the previous restaurant that had resided there and also the food JUST WASN’T GOOD ENOUGH.

To clarify, Llewelyn’s is staffed by a whole lot of really good restaurant alumni, we’re talking Fifteen, St. John, Rochelle canteen and Anchor & Hope, right? So although this little neighbourhood bistro had been on my list, I was suddenly desperate to try it because I wanted to know if the facebook woman was talking shit and lo and behold she was. The food at Llewelyn’s is marvellous. It’s a bit on the pricey side for a neighbourhood joint but I have to argue, Janet, that actually the food was good enough and you need to calm yourself.

Llewelyn’s has a clean, simple and tasteful dining room along with outdoor seating and it feels a little bit sort of ‘New York intellectual’. The menu changes daily and it has an excellent wine list. There were a lot of horn rimmed glasses and trench coats present. We chose to sit outside when we visited as Max was asleep and the change in sound would have woken him and no one needs that when they’re trying to have a very nice glass of riesling. There’s pretty limited space for buggies and service slowed as our meal progressed. I think it got busy inside and they forgot we were there but we will forgive them this because of their deep fried apple pie which is an utter triumph.

What’s good? The ox tongue (I know, not usually my thing but I try to bold for the blog) was great. The duck was perfectly tender and slid off the bone and that deep fried apple pie was essentially a McDonald’s apple pie except reimagined by a first class pastry chef. Please go and eat it because it is magnificent.

 

Kid friendly? Ish. There’s some stairs inside and not much space. If you’re local sling it or go on a warm day. The highchairs are rather stylish.

✗baby change facilities

✓highchairs available

✓cool with breastfeeding

✓loads of other parents

✓space for buggies – it’s a tight squeeze though unless you sit outside

✗children’s menu

✗toys/play area

Rating ???

 

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