Occasionally I get very lucky and a PR company invites me to review a restaurant and I sort of get a bit of imposter syndrome and drink too much of the free wine. Which is exactly what happened at Maple. Despite the name of this blog since becoming a parent I’m really not a big drinker anymore and half a bottle of wine feels very significant. Also delicious. Wobble.

Maple is hiding at the back of Shepherd’s Bush Westfield, it’s spacious and tastefully decorated and the staff are eye wateringly lovely. I was expecting sort of standard brasserie fare but ended up with food that is a little more high end, beautifully plated. Maple surprised me. A new restaurant from the people behind Greenwood, Aviary and The Botanist. They even brew some of their own beer onsite and the cocktails are cracking.

What’s good? The soft shelled crab sliders and the chorizo are marvellous. I loved the chicken with gnocchi and the cod too. I wish I’d had room for the cheese platter.

Kid friendly? Completely. Now, they knew we were coming but they’ve got at least 6 highchairs and a kids menu with colouring. Our waiter used to be a primary school teacher and was so good with Max.

✓baby change facilities

✓highchairs available

✓cool with breastfeeding

✓loads of other parents

✓space for buggies

✓children’s menu

✖️toys/play area

Rating ????