Queenswood - Flour To The People - Ben's Canteen - Social Pantry

Every few months, enough stacks up around me in Battersea to justify a local round-up.

Let's start with Queenswood - a neighbourhood restaurant and bar from the same folk as Damson & Co., officially opening today in quaint Battersea Square.  

It's a stunning site, full of thoughtful interior design touches from Eloisa Cuturi including a playful drawing, spread over wall-mounted literature, a faux-Cocteau sketch, and numerous eye-catching lights.  

An airy coffee table destined for Royal College of Art students and their Macbooks welcomes you before you make it to a stylish cocktail bar and spacious counter for dining that The Palomar can only dream of. Two record-players lie in wait for relaxed Sunday sessions with a BYOLP system.

Let's talk cocktails. The bar is not an afterthought - in fact, it's just what Battersea Square needs.  Apart from Zocalo next door (a lively agave joint - get the Mezcal Negroni), we've not got a lot to work with (London House, Bunga Bunga, Doodle Bar).  Luckily, Queenswood's affordable £8 cocktail list includes some real winners:

Negroni - Rosemary-infused gin, Campari, Barolo Chinato, dash of Balsamic

Champ Honey - Sochu, Suze, Cocchi Torino & Cherry Heering

Hemp Old-Fashioned - Unaged Rye Spirit, Hemp Syrup, Bitters

Filbert's Treat - Monkey Shoulder, Cocchi Americano, Frangelico

Abstract Infusion - Mezcal, Fernet Branca, Creme de Apricot, Byrrh

Left : Negroni & Hemp Old Fashioned // Right : Elephant Fizz & Rocotos Pisco Sour

Queenswood Negroni - Rosemary-infused Gin, Campari, Barolo Chinato, Balsamic

Moving on to food, Queenswood have called on Parisian Aude Plocktor who has devised a menu that calls on many cuisines.  From Galician Octopus to Israeli Couscous via Squid Tempura and Thai Beef Slad, it's an odd collection of dishes!

Here's what we went for:

Octopus Nicoise - Green Beans, Saffron Boiled Potato, Cherry Tomato, Peppers, Olives Lettuce

Smoked Duck Salad - Bamboo Shoots, Green Beans, Orange & Grapefruit, Coriander, Sesame Seeds

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Ginger Pig Bavette Steak (x2) - served with Chips

Roasted Root Vegetables

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Baked Apple (x2) - Coconut Yoghurt, French Toast

The starters made a decent impression, but the glorious Ginger Pig meat stole the show.  Check the blackboard when you arrive to see how many steaks are left, and reserve a couple without hesitation.  The Baked Apple was also a real treat, beautifully presented, and much more interesting than the name suggests.  Alternative desserts of African Cacao Chocolate Souffle and Caramelised Pineapple with Mint & Ajowan Seed Syrup also deserve a go. 

Smoked Duck, Bamboo Shoots, Green Beans, Orange & Grapefruit, Coriander, Sesame Seeds

Ginger Pig Bavette Steak & Chips

Baked Apple, Coconut Yoghurt, French Toast

A Digestif : Filbert's Treat - Monkey Shoulder, Cocchi Americano, Frangelico

All in all, it was a very pleasant lunch, and Queenswood shows a lot of promise.  I'll be back again soon for more of Igor's cocktails, and to check out the weekend brunch menu.  Locals are bound to flock to it, especially in Summer when Battersea Square comes in to its own.

One of many delightful design touches from Eloisa Cuturi

Even closer to my flat is brand new Flour To The People, a sourdough bakery and brunch spot with evening plans in the works, located opposite my regular haunt, Park Road Kitchen.

I'm already addicted to their Olive Sourdough Loaf, which you'll want to pick up from them as soon as it comes out of the oven.

It's a small place, so a short wait for a table at weekends is likely, at which point you should go for a wander through the magical Battersea Flower Station garden centre opposite and drop in to cute La Moka Café for a pre-brunch Allpress coffee and some Kooky Bakes treats.

Battersea Flower Station

La Moka Café

Back at Flour To The People, Nude Espresso is the order of the day, brewed on a beautiful La Marzocco machine.  Next up, you'll want to get involved with Toast The People - unlimited freshly baked bread, homemade jams and their own hazelnut spread, plus an excuse to use the SEE-THROUGH TOASTERS which sit centre stage on every table.

Follow this up with Eggs Benedict-ish, so called as the perfectly poached (or however you want them) eggs sit on top of sourdough crumpets rather than the customary muffins - Note to self: start a band called The Customary Muffins.  

Alternatively, go for some Sourdough French Toast with sweet and savoury toppings, or The Slamwich - sausage, bacon, and grilled cheese omelette slammed together between slices of sourdough bread. Yes please.

Fresh bread at Flour To The People

See Through Toasters!

Eggs Benedict-ish with Sourdough Crumpets

Perfectly Poached Eggs on Sourdough Crumpets at Flour To The People

Avocados ready to be slammed

The breakfast and brunch menu runs all week, so locals may be able to skip the weekend crowds and squeeze in a visit before work.  In the near future, they hope to open in the evenings, ideally with sourdough pizzas and local beers.  I'll be first through the door when that happens.  Until then, you'll find me in the corner messing around with the aforementioned see-through toasters.

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On the other side of Clapham Junction Station from me, foodies head for Northcote Road and Battersea Rise where the likes of Brewdog, Franco Manca, Brew and Lola Rojo hold court. Those in the know will also make a slightly longer journey up St.John's Hill for Powder Keg Diplomacy, Kaosarn, Story Coffee and Birdhouse.  

Another popular hangout in this neighbourhood cluster is Ben's Canteen, and I popped in recently to sample dishes from a new food menu.  They have also just launched a premium G&T list, so I naturally started there.  

Mediterranean Gin Mare is always worth a go, and cardamom-heavy Opihr is rather interesting (if a little overpowering).  All of the Ben's Canteen G&Ts are smartly presented with a range of carefully chosen garnishes in photogenic glassware, but I find £9 a little hard to swallow for such a simple drink, especially in the suburbs.

Moving on to dinner, my eyes never made it past Ben's Epic Scotch Egg on the starters.  It's a great example of the genre - don't miss it.

For mains, we kept things meaty with 38 Day Aged Shorthorn Ribeye Steak topped with Café de Paris Butter and a magnificent Ben's Canteen Crunchy Chicken Burger with buttermilk spiced chicken, bacon and slaw. Both dishes were accompanied by enormous portions of delicious sweet potato fries, and I'm ashamed to say we struggled to eat them all.

Ben's Canteen Crunchy Chicken Burger

38 Day Aged Shorthorn Ribeye Steak with Cafe de Paris Butter

To finish, Smashed Biscuits & Honeycomb with rich honeyed yoghurt and salted pistachio went over my almond tolerance line, but it should appeal to most.  And you can't go wrong with Chocolate & Peanut Butter Brownie with peanut butter ice cream.

Smashed Biscuits & Honeycomb

Ben's Canteen is a lovely, local establishment that really rewards loyal customers and neighbours with frequent offers and loyalty clubs.  P.S There's another branch in Earlsfield if that's any closer to home!

Ben's Canteen

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A couple of days after Battersea Arts Centre went up in flames (donate here), we dropped in for dinner at neighbouring café and catering company, Social Pantry, who have only just started serving food in the evenings (Wed-Sat only currently).

It's a charming little space, with room for a few small tables.  Folding chairs are efficiently stacked on the wall, with an array of cushions ready to go nearby.  When we arrived at 8pm they were doing good business, so you may want to ring ahead - 0207 924 4066

A locally brewed Belleville Commonside Pale Ale and a Social Pantry Vintage Spritz kept us company as we worked through a bunch of tasty small plates:

- Scotch Egg with peppered sausage meat

- Shredded Ham Hock & Cheddar Croquettes with Minted Pea Puree

- Homemade Cumin & Fennel Seed Flat Breads with Honey Glazed Shallots

- Slow Braised Ox Cheek with Roasted Carrot

- Sweet Potato Fries 

Everything was delectable, particularly the generous portion of Ox Cheek, and the shallow fried Sweet Potato Fries.

Before we knew it, it was time for dessert.  Head to the counter at your peril, where an enticing array of cheese and cakes awaits, including a Union Hand Roasted Coffee and Dark Valrhona Chocolate Cheese Cake.  I stuck to my guns and ordered the Pain Au Chocolat Bread and Butter Pudding with Cinnamon Ice Cream which was simply outstanding - melt in your mouth heaven in a bowl.

Pain Au Chocolat Bread & Butter Pudding w/ Cinnamon Ice Cream at Social Pantry

Go for the buzzy, friendly atmosphere.  Stay for that pudding.

That's all for now folks.  East Londoners - you can open your eyes again.

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Other things I've been eating and drinking recently:

- The entire menu at Smokehouse Chiswick

- Roast Brixham Monkfish at The Botanist

- Everything from Park Road Kitchen

- Katsu Curry Donuts from The Hole

- Craft Beers at The Hop Locker 

- Smoked Cocktails (new toy)

- Craigellachie 19yo

- Lindt Bunnies

Matt The Trips - A small team is off to Paris this weekend, and I've just booked flights to LA for a two-week West Coast America road trip in August.  If you known any places that I should check out, leave a comment or send me an email at matt@mattthelist.com. 

Le Quecumbar - Scratch Bar - Sambrook's Brewery

Sunday February 9th - I often find it difficult to get rid of the Monday morning feeling on Sundays, don't you? Film and a takeaway is normally the order of the day for delaying the inevitable.  A boozy gin & tonic tasting did the trick a few weeks ago.  But my most successful distraction came courtesy of Le Quecumbar, a stunning 1930s Parisian Gypsy Jazz bar & brasserie tucked away in Battersea that might just be the best looking bar on the planet.

Flatmate Maggie and I went along to help them celebrate their 11th birthday for which they lined up an incredible group of musicians led by Dutch virtuoso swing guitar master Lollo Meier.  We got there early to sample the food, and can now highly recommend the comforting cauliflower cheese & tartiflette options.  The menu is amusingly carried around on a giant black board which gets plonked next to your table until you give in.

On the drinks front, we stuck to Leffe & wine for most of the evening, but they also do a range of "strong cocktails" & have a well stocked back bar including an interesting bottle of Saffron Gin.  The obvious gin to order is Hendricks because of the cucumber / Quecumbar link, and they have in fact recently created a partnership which is kicking off with their Prohibition Party on March 6th where Hendricks cocktails will be served in a range of prohibition style cups & saucers.  Book ahead as it should be a very popular evening.

Lollo Meier was joined on stage by Ferg Ireland on bass (that bloke standing in the tree at the back), Ducato on rhythm (who sticks out beautifully in photos below with a bright shirt) & the phenomenal Giacomo Smith on clarinet who constantly threatened to steal the show.  Despite having never performed together before, they delivered a faultless evening of hot club gypsy swing, sticking mostly to tunes written by Django Reinhardt & Lollo himself - impressively, it was hard to work out which were which despite the gap in composition of 70 years or so.  The sound quality at Quecumbar is fantastic & the sight lines are excellent from most seats - do get there early if you want ringside seats though.

Left to right - Lollo, Ferg, Ducato & Giacomo

After two long sets, the party didn't stop.  Friends were invited on stage to join in, Lollo performed on his own, and jamming went on long into the night (which apparently it always does).  Maggie and I intended to head home at 11pm but two Laphroaig's later and it was closer to 1am.  In between songs, the musicians sat down and chatted to the audience, and by the time we left we felt like we were part of a new family.  Incredibly, they did it all again the next night.

Lollo isn't in the UK that often but Giacomo (clarinet) performs all over London, mainly with the Kansas Smitty's who you can catch at Vaults Waterloo (Tue & Wed 9.30 onwards, free entry) and Ronnie Scott's Late Late Show occasionally amongst other places.  I highly recommend tracking him down.

Shining light Ducato holding it all together on rhythm guitar

What's over there?

I could have stayed all night but Monday morning beckoned - 6 hours was longer than we expected to stay.  It was a night of pure escapism for which we mainly have owner Sylvia to thank, who lives upstairs and is always the life and soul of the party.  Steve & Andy also looked after us well - I'm sure you'll know them by the time you leave.  

The décor needs to be seen first hand - every time I looked around, I spotted something tucked away, and the overall feel plants you right in the middle of 1930s Paris.  11 years is impressive for a small niche venue but that doesn't mean it will last forever, so get down there and support this incredible jazz bar, especially if you are a Battersea local.  There are gigs most nights, some of which are ticketed so check the website or go on a Tuesday to see the free jam session to get yourself started.  They have their own record label with many recordings of live Quecumbar gigs available to buy online or in the bar.

Friday February 7th - Sticking to the Battersea theme, I stumbled across the lovely Scratch Bar (@BACscratch) attached to the Battersea Arts Centre after the Battersea Beer Festival a couple of weeks ago.  BAC is one of London's most influential theatres and has sensibly put in a fresh café/bar to match the quality productions.  

It is open 6 days a week (Mon-Sat) in the quirky Grade II listed building, and the food menu changes regularly playing on themes found in BAC shows.  They have Nude coffee to go with their extensive cake selection, free wifi, music & entertainment on Fridays, and local beers - what's not to love?  We were delighted to find the excellent range of bottled Brixton beers which were sadly absent from the CAMRA beer festival (that seemed to be stubbornly refusing to move with the times).

BAC membership (only £20 a year) will get you 10% off food & drink, and their £10 burger & beer is well worth a look. I imagine I will be making use of Scratch a fair amount this year with its inviting laidback vibe and tasty treats.

Last but not least, I thought I'd mention my local brewery, Sambrook's, which now seems like an old hand on the London brewing scene despite only being 6 years old.  They turned up a few years early to the show, and have firmly established themselves with their award-winning core range of Junction, Wandle and Powerhouse Porter that you may have seen around.  I myself am a big fan of Pumphouse Pale Ale, and was delighted to be able to lug home a fresh 18 pint box of the stuff for a New Year's party.

They don't have a taproom bar that opens regularly, but their superb shop is open 6 days a week, selling their beer fresh in various sizes, alongside an interesting selection of bottled beers from some of their favourite breweries.  You can order a 9 gallon cask for £120-150 if you so wish!  Staff are friendly and fresh tasters are always available if you can't make your mind up.  There are also monthly tours on the third Wednesday of every month for £15/person.

They recently announced that they plan to hold quarterly parties, starting with Spring Zing this Saturday (1st March) at the brewery.  They will be launching their new Archer Mild Ale named after John Archer who became Mayor of Battersea & the first ever black Mayor in London 100 years ago. There will also be live music & food including Ginger Pig sausage rolls.  Check their blog for more important dates to save throughout the year.