Chloe keeps it local, checking out new, and oh so colourful, NBHD in Ladbroke Grove
With a huge chunk of us still working from home, it’s much easier to pop to a local restaurant or bar for an after work bevvy than head all the way into town.
If it’s good food and good drink you’re after, then look no further than NBHD – a stone’s throw away from the vibrant Portobello and Golborne Road.
And you won’t be able to look further, as the building is painted a wonderful shade of pink on the outside with vibrant colours on the inside too.
Born out of the pandemic as a hot spot to bring together local friends, old and new, you can’t go wrong with one of their delectable cocktails, perfect to cheers to seeing friends once again.
One of their best sellers is the fiery Strawberry & Jalapeño Margarita, but a delicious alternative if you can’t handle the heat is the Watermelon Daiquiri. Made with Pampero Bianco, Watermelon Juice, Watermelon Syrup and Fresh Lime Juice, it’s a refreshing drink perfect if the sun ever reappears.
Also worth trying is the Belsazar Rose Spritz. A good alternative to the well-loved Aperol variety, this is made with Balsazar Rose Vermouth, Rose Water Syrup, Prosecco, Tonic and Soda for a slightly sweeter take.
The House G&T, made with Tanqueray TEN is a throw back to a few years ago when beautifully presented gin glasses were popping up all over London, and for those choosing not the imbibe, the Crodino Spritz is a wonderful alcohol-free bitter.
It’s not all about the cocktails – NBHD, which is blessed with outside seating behind a well-places hedge allowing you to view the tops of the classic West London townhouses, also has a tasty selection of ‘plates’ inspired by the flavours of South America.
Designed to share, the Guijillo Prawn Tacos pack a flavour punch. Pan fried prawns are spicy and garlicy, with a cooling and sweet mango salsa, and topped and tailed with texture thanks to red cabbage, and crispy shallots.
Perhaps not for a first date as there is no elegant way to eat these, the Grilled Veg Tostadas are a must. The grilled vegetables include courgette (on the menu named zucchini for some reason in the UK…), fennel and butternut squash.
This is adorned with red onion, guacamole, crumbled fetta, garlic chives, coriander cress and lemon sour cream. It sounds like a lot but the balance means every flavour sings through. Perhaps it gets absorbed through the skin too as it dribbles down your arm.
Not one to avoid a fried potato, while not traditionally ‘South American’, the truffle and parmesan fries, cooked in beef dripping, don’t hold back. Thin, crisp, with plenty of cheese and plenty of truffle flavour. Yum.
Round things off with that classic fried sweet treat that graces menus, Churros. These churros are coated in a cinnamon sugar and served with a side of dulce de leche (or arequipe depending on where in Southern and Latin American you are).
The wonderful surprise is that three of these are also stuffed with chocolate for the ultimate sugar hit. What could be better?
For those of us who can’t travel to sunnier climates, a trip to NBHD can almost convince you that you have escaped the hustle and bustle of good old London town.
I’ll be back soon, and recommend you pay it a visit too
225 Ladbroke Grove, London, W10 6HQ.