Notting Hill is definitely a London hangout that sparks a warm buzz inside me. Bright colored houses, Notting Hill carnival, live music, passionate street stalls, fresh food and the cool bohemia-eccentric residents. Notting Hill has a few hotspots on most peoples radar and Electric is right up there on mine, a bright blue landmark on Portobello road.
Having been a regular at the Soho House’s Electric, I enjoyed my fair share of lunches at the Electric Brasserie. I remember scrambling for a table on weekends, if I was lucky and the sun was shining, then, I would bag one of the small tables outside, watching the bustling crowds and keeping a stiff hand on my handbag. After hearing the upsetting news that there was a fire summer 2012, I knew there would be a required refurbishment. I had much anticipation towards the new opening of Electric Diner, December 2012.
Soho House have collaborated with renowned Chicago chef Brendan Sodikoff on the new Electric Diner and Electric Donuts. Soho House founder Nick Jones first came across Au Cheval on a trip to the US. Both he and Nick collaborated on the all-day French-American menu, which, inspired by Au Cheval, includes some of the restaurant’s signature dishes, such as the award-winning cheeseburger (£11) and the fried house-made bologna sandwich (£10).
In keep with the London restaurant trends, there is a no booking policy. My first visit since Electric Diner re-opened, as I enter, I am pleasantly consumed, scanning for all changes. The Dine oozes the traditional American-diner interior; white polished tiles and seductive red leather booths. There is still high chair, bar dining and a selection of hidden covens at the back. I particularly enjoyed the dimmed lighting and swooping side lamps complimented by monochrome floors.
You can eat a pretty hefty meal here; their all day menu offers a hangover-dream as well as a generous range of choices for the healthy eater. We started with a Bloody Mary and Grey Goose Le Fizz, a liquid form of artwork and sensory pleasure. Their cocktail menu is modern and impressive.
I selected the Sea bass cooked in garlic, parsley & sherry jus while adding a variety of sides including garlic broccoli and Quinoa salad with almond, mint and feta cheese salad. The waiter insisted my dining partner try some of the signatures and balanced my health streak with a mean American twist of Club steak, chips, béarnaise, steak salt in addition the best seller of smashed garlic potatoes, chicken jus. They offer hash brownies as a gluten-free option.
Electric Diner caters for a trendy cliental, great for people watching, it was busy even on a Tuesday lunch! They have a traditional breakfast option, all day menus, and drinks at the bar and of course Electric Donuts upstairs at the cinema. Bare the queue for a hearty injection of this Notting Hill glossy, I will be returning!
Opening Hours
Monday to Thursday 08:00am – Midnight
Friday to Sunday 08:00am – 01:00am
Electric Diner,
191 Portobello Road, London, W11 2E
