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Before I say goodbye to London, I thought it would be appropriate to visit the paradise that is Ottolenghi one last time. In these last few weeks, I have tried to squeeze in final visits to all my favourite places (as any food lover would do, right?)

Salad plate with Harissa chicken

Each time I walk into the Notting Hill store, I am in awe at all the delicious-looking salads and tempting cakes and pastries on display. This time was no different, however I was able to dine in at the communal table at the back for a ‘ladies that lunch’-style affair.

The food here never disappoints and I can’t recommend this place enough. Whenever visitors are in town, it’s always at the top of my recommendation list. The food is all prepared in the on-site kitchens (which I would love to see in action) using the best quality ingredients. The dishes have a Mediterranean focus that are punchy in flavour and so enjoyable to eat, it’s sad when your plate is nearing it’s end.

The menu changes regularly but some of the dishes appear so frequently I would assume it’s down to their popularity – which is fine by me!

My fellow lady luncher and I both opted for a main course with three salads this time. My plate was adorned with the harissa chicken with pink grapefruit and radicchio, the roasted sweet potato with yoghurt sauce, the roasted mushrooms with chilli, and the cinammon-spiced aubergine – all fantastic! The aubergine salad and the mushroom salad were both new items I had never seen before and am hoping they (or a variation) are in either the Ottolenghi or Plenty cookbooks so that I can try and replicate some time.

We both couldn’t go past one of the intense chocolate and hazelnut brownies on our way out. These delights are packed with chunks of chocolate and roasted hazelnuts and are just too ridiculously delicious to describe! Sorry no pic – I ate it before I had a chance to snap one. Maybe I should go back for one more?

Cakes and pastries in the window - yes they are calling your name!

If ever in London, try to visit one of the four branches – Notting Hill, Kensington, Islington and Belgravia. The biggest one is Islington that offers more space to dine in, but my local and hence fave has been Notting Hill. Good times!

1. Mildred’s Vegetarian Restaurant – London
2. Cinnamon Club – Modern Indian in London
3. The York and Albany