The Gate Hammersmith | fashionfabulousuk

Restaurant critic and fashion writer Russell Rose reviewed more than 280 restaurants and cafés in his book Veggie & Organic London. Gate Hammersmith has been one of the most popular and successful vegetarian restaurants in London so when Fashion Fabulous learnt that a new sister restaurant The Gate: Seymour Place had just opened two months ago as soon we booked in to check it out! A full review will be appearing in the next edition of Fashion Fabulous London available in all good bookshops and on Amazon and many independent bookshop websites.

The Gate: Seymour Place, 22-24 Seymour Place London W1H 7NL | Marble Arch LU, 10 min walk | Mon-Fri 12pm-11pm, Sat 9am-10pm, Sun 9am-10.30pm.

Vegetarian, European, Modern T: 0207 724 6656 http://thegaterestaurants.com/seymour-place

A welcome addition to Marylebone’s restaurant scene, The Gate Seymour Place’s vegetarian food is inspiring but at times let down by some poor service. Take the booking service. We phoned through for a good table in advance only to find that when we arrived we offered a table in their empty basement. A bit of a shame as the ground floor was packed full. Our advice would be to reserve for 7pm at which there’s a very good chance you’ll secure a table where all the action is and avoid any offer of being seated in the basement or by the ground floor bar.

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The miserable table was made up for with the inviting menu offerings of eight starters, seven mains and seven desserts. Starter of Cous Cous Fritters (see above), presents as three slightly spiced cous cous and feta fritters balls with a Moroccan style carrot puree and was a delicious. Three Onion Tart turned out to be a good choice too and arrives as a slice consisting of leeks and shallots baked in a parmesan pastry topped with caramelised red onions that had a yummy lightness and delightful flavour finished with balsamic reduction.

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On mains, the photogenic Wild Mushroom Risotto Cake is a well-constructed tower of sautéed girolle, pleurote, pied de mouton and trompette mushrooms, with rocket and cheese finished with a delicious lemon truffle dressing and was an excellent dish.

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Fashion-wise, it’s very relaxed casual dress and attracts a central and north London mixed aged crowd from twenties to seventies. Among the labels spotted were Margaret Howell, Whistles and Cos.The restaurant has a fairly plain and minimal décor but pleasant enough.

Signature main dish of Aubergine Schnitzel (picture 1) was as good as we had at The Gate Hammersmith. If you like veggie moussaka, you’ll love this. It comes layered with smoked cheddar, basil pesto, roasted red peppers and plum tomatoes. Unfortunately, this time round the Lyonnaise potatoes varied in temperature but otherwise was a very good dish and to be recommended.

Mains come up quite large and whilst we ordered a side dish of Chunky Polenta Chips with aioli to share they were a bit of a disappointment.

The long wine list has a choice of vegan, organic and biodynamic choices as well as cocktail, beers and ciders. When we asked the waiter to suggest wine pairings to our food he looked bemused that anyone make such a request of him. In the end, he suggested a Malbec to go with everything and advised that the speciality of the house Natural Wines were not so good. Ordering a carafe of Malbec La Mascota at £25, it was of average quality and nothing to write home about. Wanting to experience something from the organic/biodynamic Natural Wine Selection we opted for an Austrian white, Grüner Veltliner at £8.50 a glass to go with the Risotto Cake that turned out to be very good indeed and one we can recommend!.

A two course meal with drinks is about £40.

V&O2%20Cover_0002-2 For a full review of The Gate Hammersmith read the current edition of Veggie & Organic London available in all good bookshops and book websites priced £7.99.

…And for the most fashionable places to shop in London, see our latest book Fashion Fabulous London 3^rd Edition available from all good bookshops including Waterstones, Harrods, Selfridges, Foyles, Stanfords Travel, Rizzoli Bookshop at Somerset House, Daunt, Easons, Wall & Jones, Bohemia Road, and Present-London. Internationally, it’s at Barnes & Noble in NY and bookshops in Italy, Japan, China, Australia, Russia, and throughout the world and on Amazon and many independent bookshop websites priced £12.99.

It reviews in detail the Top 200 fashion shops and 130 great venues where fashionistas eat and drink in London. Fashion Fabulous London 3^rd Edition can also be ordered from our international distributor, Kuperard, telephone +44 (0) 0208 446 2440

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