[London] Ottolenghi

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Ottolenghi

Add*: 63 Ledbury Road, Notting Hill, London W11 2AD
Tel: 020 7727 1121
Hours: [Mon-Fri] 8am~8pm [Sat] 8am~7pm [Sun] 8:30am~6pm
Website: www.ottolenghi.co.uk
Price: £10~20
Visited on: Jan 2013

There’s a vibrant vitality at Ottolenghi, one that immediately affects you as soon as you step inside. It’s a combination of the sun-filled interior, lush salads on display, and upbeat staff members buzzing around the small shop. Takeaway section at the front and a small table that seats no more than 10 at the back. Serves fresh salads, simple main courses, and glorious, glorious pastries that have me drooling through the window display.

*Four locations available in London, check website for details.

“Uncomplicated, unadulterated, emanating from genuine instincts” is the claim on Ottolenghi’s website. Take a look at this salad display and you will believe it’s true.

The pastry corner, oh my.

Apparently she can’t decide which one to go for either.

A small, 10-person table is located at the back of the shop. It’s usually full, and sorry, no reservations.

Most people come to Ottolenghi for take-outs, but we decided to stay for a while. I ordered a small main course and salads combination (£13.70) with a choice of two salads – “roasted aubergine with feta-yogurt, caramelized onion, preserved lemon, chili flakes and crispy kale” and “red quinoa, brown and jasmine rice salad with sesame seeds, dried fruit and herbs” – along with a main course of “chorizo and saffron arancini with buffalo mozzarella served with saffron yogurt.” An exceedingly refreshing plate, a perfect light lunch.

Also stole a bite of my friend’s rose and vanilla cupcake, a fluffy cake topped by a light-as-air cream. Real delicious.

Cappuccino.

A healthy meal like this must be good for the body and good for the soul. Ottolenghi is the kind of place I’d love to frequent if I were living in London, though for now perhaps I’ll find solace at Rose Bakery here in Paris, which resembles Ottolenghi to a certain extent.