Harden's survey result
Summary
“Run by Michel Roux’s daughter” Emily and her husband Diego Ferrari (former head chef of Le Gavroche), this Notting Hill five-year-old “gives us the best of two culinary worlds: French and Italian”. The “precise, thoughtful and delicious dishes (celeriac, crab, turbot, veal)…” are “real high-end comfort food” and the “dining room is cool and buzzy without being overly formal”. “Both wine list and cheeseboard are on the conservative side, but none the worse for that”; and “the Italian sommelier has an encyclopaedic knowledge of Italian wines and will always steer us to something new and unusual”. Some reports note a “post-Covid blip amidst staff changes”, and a slip in ratings generally backs up those who feel the experience is “not bad, and better than average, but not quite the quality it was previously”. Top Tip – “lunch is particularly good value”.
Summary
“Bringing the expertise and professionalism of Le Gavroche to a more local setting” – Emily Roux (daughter of Michel) and her husband Diego Ferrari’s (former head chef at Le Gavroche) Notting Hill four-year-old has become one of London’s more notable destinations. It’s “an excellent combination of gastronomic dining in a relaxed and civilised interior with just the right balance of buzziness” that provides “understated luxury, but without an eye-watering price tag”. The French/Italian menu “changes regularly to show off seasonal ingredients” – “slightly quirkily presented” and with “thoroughly enjoyable” results. And the experience is buoyed by “excellent attention to detail from arrival to departure” from its “skilled and friendly” staff. Top Tip – “divine” lunch menu, which is “brilliant value”.
Summary
“The food is the centrepiece” at Emily Roux (daughter of Michel) and her husband Diego Ferrari’s (former head chef of Le Gavroche) “gem tucked away in Notting Hill”, which has established a strong foodie following. “The French/Italian theme to the cooking works well”, delivering “strong flavours with a light touch” from “an interesting menu whose dishes are a little out of the ordinary”. Service is “fabulous and personal” too, which helps make for “a very special meal out” in this comfortable, “cosy” space. “Surely it’s getting a star some time soon?”
Summary
“Absolutely the best new restaurant in the past year or so” – the Roux dynasty have come up trumps with this “great newbie in the Notting Hill ’hood”, on the site of Bumpkin (RIP). It’s the brainchild of Michel Roux’s daughter Emily Roux and her husband Diego Ferrari (former head chef at Le Gavroche). “Just around the corner from The Ledbury, but half the price and less formal” – it provides a “fabulous all-round experience”, founded on “outstanding” and “creative” cooking “born out of two great cuisines: French and Italian”. (However, “the unusual menu layout does take a moment to puzzle out”, with headings like Curious, Subtle and Greedy). “Impeccable service” and the “very comfortable” space, decorated with “quirky touches” complete the experience. Top Tip – “don’t miss the celeriac ‘cacio e pepe’”.
For 33 years we've been curating reviews of the UK's most notable restaurant. In a typical year, diners submit over 50,000 reviews to create the most authoritative restaurant guide in the UK. Each year, the guide is re-written from scratch based on this survey (although for the 2021 edition, reviews are little changed from 2020 as no survey could run for that year).
Have you eaten at Caractère?
209 Westbourne Park Road, London, W11 1EA
Restaurant details
Caractère Restaurant Diner Reviews
"Always have a fantastic meal here and lunch is great value. We enjoy trying new wines recommended by the knowledgeable wine waiter. "
"Excellent lunch (one of many visits). Wine pairing is an enjoyable way of finding out about unusual wines"
Prices
| Availability | 2 courses | 3 courses |  |
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lunch | £60.00 |  |
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| Brunch | £1.00 | |
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| Cost | Availability | Courses | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Menu1 | 100.00 | Always available | 8 |
| Drinks |
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| Wine per bottle | £45.00 |
| Filter Coffee | £4.00 |
| Extras |
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| Service | 10.00% |
209 Westbourne Park Road, London, W11 1EA
Opening hours
| Monday | CLOSED |
| Tuesday | 6:15 pm‑9 pm |
| Wednesday | 6:15 pm‑9 pm |
| Thursday | 6:15 pm‑9 pm |
| Friday | 12 pm‑1:45 pm, 6:15 pm‑9 pm |
| Saturday | 12 pm‑1:45 pm, 6:15 pm‑9 pm |
| Sunday | CLOSED |
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