A couple of weeks ago when I told a certain someone we were headed to Shepherd’s Bush for dinner on Friday night, he casually replied ‘oh cool, somewhere you’ve never really been before…’ while humming the theme tune to Only Fools and Horses. To which I not so casually retorted, ‘um excuse me, I’ve been there several times now… remember how I whinged about the platform changes while lugging my shopping bags around?!’. And then as quickly as those words escaped my mouth, I was wishing they really hadn’t because I then had to admit that a certain someone was right. These admissions are not something I take pleasure in.
Shepherd’s Bush has a lot going on for foodies. The wonderful Damas Gate middle eastern supermarket has anything you’d ever need to whip up a lavish middle eastern banquet. There’s the famous Shepherd’s Bush Market and also an outlet of Abu Zaad – one of my favorite Damascan restaurants in London. But occasionally I’ve frocked up to see something at the O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire and wandered aimlessly trying to find somewhere just a little more elegant for a pre-show bite. How did I not know of Pictures Restaurant? So close to the Empire, you could almost duck in for a mid-show cocktail and plate of crispy squid during interval.
It’s surprisingly difficult to find a good afternoon tea in London on a Saturday.
Eventually I found Dorsett Shepherds Bush hotel. They were open, had room for us and the menu looked lovely.
The sweet stuff was a ‘Fruit Shoot’ – essentially a smoothie of kiwi, papaya, lemongrass, banana and coconut – and various cakes.
All of the cakes were excellent; highlights included blueberry meringue with mixed berries and red Victoria sponge cakes.
Though the most impressive was definitely the ‘Chocolate Coffee Cup’. A perfectly formed cup, immaculately made from chocolate filled with rich mango chocolate mousse.
It tasted every bit as good at it looked.
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