4 minute read
Dining out in style – chefs’ secrets
Darling’s guide to dining out locally
Averna
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Classic Italian cooking with a modern twist
Head Chef Fabio’s menu is rooted in authenticity, with inspirations taken from the Italian table. Everything is made with only the best locally sourced seasonal ingredients, that are kind to the planet too. This is all refl ected in their well chosen menu. Fabio serves fresh, homemade dishes, including comforting bowls of pasta and pizza, delicious meat, fi sh and vegetarian dishes and classic risotto. And he cooks a great Sunday roast too! All the bread and pasta is made fresh on the day.
The Green, St Leonards Road, Claygate, Surrey. KT10 0JQ claygateaverna.co.uk
Stein’s Berlin
Discover modern German cuisine at its best
Stein’s Berlin offers a culinary journey through all of Germany’s varied regions. Owner Bele Weiss wants to offer a real German experience to her guests and recommends the Berlin sharing platter with a selection of sausages and freshly prepared schnitzel, served with sauerkraut and Bratkartoffeln potatoes. Apart from fresh produce, all food, beer and wine is imported directly from Germany. Stein’s Berlin brings a stylish contemporary yet relaxed city addition to the well loved, family owned group of Stein’s Bavarian restaurants in Kingston and Richmond. The bar also mixes fantastic cocktails, and coffee and cake is on the menu all day.
51 Princes Gate (entrance on Exhibition Road), South Kensington, London SW7 2PH | 0203 968 4600 | berlininkensington.stein-s.com
CuVée VIII
French restaurant with wine bar, cocktail bars and alfresco garden
When visiting this elegant restaurant and bar in the heart of Esher you can expect classic French cuisine cooked to perfection by their Executive Chef Marcellin Marc and Head Chef David Fetigny. They serve a frequently changing seasonal menu, with fresh and locally sourced seasonal produce. Ballotine of French quail and chargrilled red endive followed by the fi sh of the day served with fragrant Sicilian aubergine and fi g caponata, is a winning combination, and why not fi nish your meal with a superb baked Tahiti vanilla cheesecake.
Their wine and cocktail bars offer an extensive selection of fi ne wines and the best experimental cocktails you’ll fi nd anywhere in Surrey.
2-8 Church Street, Esher KT10 8QS | cuvee8.com
We asked the chefs who run the kitchens at some of our absolute favourite restaurants what they love to serve to their customers and what are the musttry dishes on their menus. This selection of fantastic restaurants is old world European, all serving authentic cuisine with a modern twist. Bon appétit!
Fratelli Delicatessen
For the authentic Italian taste
Fratelli Delicatessen has long been a favourite of Italian food and wine lovers. Chef Antonio, a former Head Chef of Cecconi’s in Mayfair, wanted to bring his wealth of knowledge in the best of Italian cooking to Kingston when he opened Fratelli’s with his wife 25 years ago. Antonio’s favourite dishes to cook for both eat-in or take away are crab ravioli, vegetarian or meat Crespolini pancakes, Paglia e Fieno and Tagliolini Gratinati. And remember to ask for a slice of his amazing ricotta and pear cake to go with your coffee.
57 Park Rd, Kingston upon Thames KT2 6DB | fratellidelicatessen.com
Don Luis Tapas For lovers of great Spanish food
At Don Luis Tapas the team are passionate about the food they serve. The Head Chef Raul Domingo is a talented chef from Madrid with a gift for delivering authentic Spanish cuisine. Using only the best ingredients, he serves up a culinary feast for everyone who visits his Esher restaurant. Raul adds his magic touch to all his dishes. Some of his favourites to cook are Patatas Bravas, Croquetas, Sizzling Gambas, and his popular Paella. Their regular customers are a testimonial to their tasty food, they just can’t get enough!
10 High Street, Esher KT10 9RT | 01372 202197
La Luna Di Luca
Traditional Italian Trattoria
La Luna is a hidden gem and firm favourite amongst the Richmond Hill locals. Chef patrons Martina and Jamal offer authentic Italian regional dishes, always cooked with seasonal ingredients. The menu changes twice weekly with daily specials with emphasis on fish, such as their signature lobster tagliatelle. Vegetarians and vegans are also well catered for. They also serve fantastic pizzas from their wood fired oven. Pair your meal with Sardinian wine or beer for a truly Italian meal. La Luna’s deli opposite stocks many of their restaurant wines, Tuscan sausages, cheeses and much more.
