Unit 1032, Westfield Shopping Centre, Jom Makan, Southern Terrace, London W12 7GA. Balans.co.uk
Many years later, and the Pornstar Martini’s are still top notch, but I was there to check out the new food menu, which I have to admit looked very inviting. Traditional pub favourites such as beer battered fish and chips and the infamous Balans burger grace the menu alongside gastro pub type dishes like Cornish crab linguine or slow roasted pork belly.
The new Balans Soho Society, launched misleadingly not in Soho, but in Westfield Shepherd’s Bush has one simple instruction – indulge and enjoy oneself, and that is most definitely what I did.
The rack of lamb for mains is cooked how you like it, with dauphinoise potatoes and redcurrant jus (£17). My friend opted for the pulled pork wrap, which at just £9 was a steal as it came bursting at the seams. Served with apple slaw and triple cooked chips that although didn’t look like the best I’d seen, were crisp on the outside and super fluffy on the inside.
The interior design has also had a refurb, capturing the heart, soul and spirit of the venue with every little detail catered for in a wonderfully quirky manner. Match boxes are cleverly given serving suggestions’for whatever sparks you up’ and a key symbol is prevalent throughout the restaurant – splashed on the walls and even marked on the cutlery, keeping a common theme, which I’m told represents freedom to enter a world of pleasure…and if that tickle your fancy, I’m not sure what will!