Over the Easter weekend, Mr P and I had lunch at Ottolenghi. This was my second time visiting this very upmarket Mediterranean, deli-style restaurant in Islington (their flagship restaurant). The first time I went was on a cold and rainy Saturday. At that time, there was a line that went out the door and about a half hour wait. I should warn you now that this tiny restaurant gets packed, and they don’t take lunch reservations. Still, everyone was lined up with such good natured ambivalence. I guess they knew that the food that awaited them would be worth it. Hubby, however, was not very excited about eating here. He thought I was taking him to eat chi chi girly salads.
One only needs to look at the delicious treats that greet you on arrival to realise that fat-free girly nibbles do not live here. Well… not many. I mean, the menu is based around fresh and vibrant produce (not pictured LOL), but there is a lot of fatty goodness that goes into that produce to make it Housewife and Mr P friendly. Yes indeedy! Everything available for lunch that day is beautifully displayed before you, even prior to getting a look at the actual printed menu. I like that, because when it comes to my food, I am a very visual person. As you can see, they really know how to make the day’s offerings sparkle!
If you think about it, the restaurant is very much like a simple white plate. It is minimalist, and the food is the focus. There are no ornate fixtures or distracting music. The tables and chairs are all white, there are black boards to tell you what’s on offer, and the flooring is comprised of natural and well-worn wood. Despite the spartan interior, Ottolenghi is not intimidating or uncomfortable though, it is actually quite buzzy.
Hubby and I started with some bread. It comes beautifully arranged on a wooden tray. The most notable was an out-of-this-world corn bread. I only wish they would have given us more than one slice of it. That’s my only complaint. It was very hearty and earthy. It was surprisingly nutty, and the corn taste was very apparent. It had a teeny bit of chilli in it which was really nice. The corn bread was on display when we walked in, in a big cast iron skillet. As a whole loaf, it made for a beautiful showpiece. There was also a crusty slice of white sourdough, two slices of brown sourdough and a delicious black olive focaccia slice. Along with this bread came a fruity olive oil for dipping. I do love to dip 
. There are no actual “starters” on the Ottolenghi menu, so for £3.50 this is a great way to whet your appetite.
The menu at Ottolenghi is seasonal, so the salads are constantly changing. The way the menu works is you pick a main, and then you pick two or three of their salads to accompany it. Mr P and I both chose to have 2 salads with one main. We also chose the same salads. I guess that over the years our taste buds have become very similar 
. We chose the butter nut squash salad and the roasted eggplant (or aubergine, as the Brits call it) salad. It was made up of thick slices of aubergine with buffalo mozzarella, capers, tomato, yellow pepper and basil. But while that was certainly yummy, the roasted butter nut squash was absolutely swoon worthy. Cooked until tender, it was served with creme fraiche, and caramelised nuts. It was an incredible combination of sweet and tangy, tender and crunchy. Amazing!!! As for the mains, I had a deliciously fattening gorgonzola and spinach quiche, and Mr P had a perfectly cooked salmon with a red pepper salsa. All the mains at Ottolenghi are served at room temperature by the way, like in a deli. I have heard that the evening menu is made of up of hot, tapas style dishes. I’ll have to check that out, for research purposes, of course .
For me, as always though, the thing I look forward to the most is the deserts. Even though the savory part of the meal was hard to top, our deserts definitely topped it for me. I got the cheesecake with a caramel and macadamia nut crust. Doesn’t that just sound amazing? I had it before, so I knew how good it was. It is easily the best cheesecake I’ve had in the UK. The first time I tried it, I ordered it because the two ladies next to me were sharing one and practically having an orgasm over it. It was a case of “Yeah, I’ll have what she’s having.” Of course, Moi was able to eat the cheesecake slice without help. As an aside, daaaaaaahlings, my opinion is that if a grown woman can’t eat her own slice of cake, she doesn’t deserve one!!! Do you know, between those two ladies, they still weren’t able to finish that slice??? What is up with people like that? I just want to say, “Oh, for F’s sake, give ME the the freaking cake and go home!”
I wouldn’t think that Mr P’s desert could top mine, but it totally did. Oh God, now that cake was gooooood. It was a big slice of soft spongy apple cake with mounds of maple icing. THAT is cake that I will have dreams about, I can tell you that much. Heaven on a plate.
Lunch for two with bread for starters and deserts with tea and coffee cost about £50. Mr P and I agree that it is well worth it. Mr P says it is the best new restaurant he’s tried in years. That is high praise indeed!
For those of you who don’t think they will get to London anytime soon, both cakes, as well as many other mouth watering delights, are in Ottolenghi’s cookbook. I must admit though, the cheesecake recipe seems kinda complicated, maybe too complicated for me to try to attempt. It involves making your own caramel. Still, it’s an amazing book with loads of fab pictures to drool over. It is surely one of my favourite cook books (although I’ve only made one recipe ). There’s also a new book which they are soon to publish, which I’ve pre-ordered. I can’t wait to get it.
Oh I’m in food heaven, What a fabulous review…but of course it’s from HH what else would I expect. I just could gobble up everything pictured…and to finish with my favorite…cheesecake..well I was just beside myself.
Yeah what is up with those girls, you ought to see what I can put away
Thanks darling,
xoxo DJ
Oooh how much do I want to be there right now? I could just dive into the second photo!
*sigh* I simply should not have read this post without a cake in my hand…
Darling I have gained weight simply by reading your blog of late. You have to stop and post about crochet or gardening…something other than food!! Just kidding keep posting. The part about the “orgasm” is hilarious. You know I have never been / ate there. Now I will make it a point to go there soon, since Mr. P recommends it.
Love & Hugs
Duchess
I’m so glad I’m not the only one who can inhale large servings of rich desserts that make others sick. I would fly to London just to eat both the cheesecake and apple cake–and you know I’m more of a pie girl. But that cheesecake is making me drool and that apple cake looks divine…
I pity anyone who tries to share a cake with me…
Lovely review Daaahling, don’t know when I’ll ever get to London (the last time I went I was a skint student who could only afford to eat pizza slices and sandwiches, so sad), but at least there’s the book. That apple cake is calling my name.
Oooooo it all look so delicious! That cornbread looks crazy good!
I wouldn’t dare make my own cheesecake. I wouldn’t be able to squeeze into my housecoat. I love the pics. No need to travel….I’ll just keep reading your blog
I am SOOO eating there when I go to London! I wish you could meet us there! Please? And divine is such the word and who wants to go out for a special treat and eat low cal girly chi chi light things? No! And yes to a slice of cake per girl! Sheesh!
Well, I just told Southern Grace to get her butt on over here to see that apple cake.
Wow. What a lunch! ( Do you go major light on dinner after a lunch like this?)
And tell me, why does London still have the reputation for bad food? I’ve been there. The food is marvelous. Of course, you have to know where to go… and Ottolenghe is now on my list.
That all looks delicious, I must get down there again.
What a beautiful way to be greeted! Yum! It looks like a wonderful place for lunch with plenty of good food!
This all looks so great! Can’t wait to try it when we make it to London.
I wanna come with you to HH. I connect with you big time through my Ottolenghi Cookbok.Am with you in spirit, BOO!! YAY, that you proved Mr P wrong AS USUAL! ROFL… high maintenance & still proved wrong!
BTW, no, I’m not married to one of those. Mine is low maintenance, and might even stir the curry on a good day! Tee hee…love your blog & the way you write!
Omigosh, so jealous!!
It looks even better than I ever imagined. Hubby and I would have ordered the same salads even though that violates a cardinal rule we have of never ordering the same thing! Love all the vibrant colors and fresh vegetables, and all those fats you consumed are definitely the healthy kind. The crackly bits on your macademia cheesecake are so tempting but I’m really anxious to try that maple iced apple cake! Awesome review, daahling. I just tweeted it 
ps. “chi chi girly salads” – LOL
This is my favorite of all your restaurant reviews! This looks like an amazing place. I love the way all the goodies are stacked up with the chalkboard in the background. Your meals look so colorful and delicious. Everything just look so “on point”. Sounds like Mr P will be very happy to take you back!! I can see many more frequent trips here in your future;-)
I have also preordered the new cookbook, despite only having made one or two things from the first one. And having lots of cookbooks I do not cook from. And having a huge pile of BBC Good Food and Waitrose Magazines.
Ooo! That place looks right up my alley!
You will be proud to hear that I had a scrumptious meal at my favorite wine and cheese place here in NYC on Sunday and they gave my mom and I the dessert we ordered (cupcakes) and then a complementary ice cream sundae. After one cupcake my mom was stuffed. Well, I ate my cupcake AND the sundae, of course! Both were delish!
Oh, and I’ve been at a place before where the ladies couldn’t finish their desserts (fancy donuts) and they totally offered it to my friend and me. And of course, we finished it.
It looks like such a charming spot. I love the wooden tray and crusty bread with olive oil…Mmmmmmm! Everything looks delicious!
That picture with all the sweets got me excited like a little kid. I love how they served the bread. Forget the basket, just place it on a wood tray. Nice.
HH, I am so giddy after reading this review! I’ve got a trip planned with my mum here next week and now I am more excited than ever!!!!
Fab post as always darlinnk HH!
btw Thanks for all lovely comments – am so busy just now with travel,assignments & deadlines that I won’t be able to visit/stop by yr great blog for a little while. Sorry!
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XOXO LOLA:)
Fabulous post as always. I haven’t been for a while, reading your post makes me want to visit immediately – perhaps something for the weekend as I really, really want to eat that cheesecake (no sharing of course!) Their cakes and sweet treats are absolutely amazing. I had the pleasure of meeting one of his chefs at a party a few years ago
that is so funny that Mr. P did not want to partake in all the new food fun! we have a similar issue in our house. The dear hubby usually does not want to partake in usual foods too funny! i just love your blog and enjoy reading your posts daily
xoxo
KC
Lol, I had to laugh at what you said about those 2 ladies not being able to finish their cheesecake! I feel the same way!
That beautiful display of sweets literally took my breath away! *sigh* XO
Everything is so fresh and delicious looking! And that heavenly cheesecake looks like it would satisfy my serious sweet tooth. I wouldn’t leave a crumb on my plate, I can promise you that! I am very interested in the cookbook. XOXO
holly flippin cow! Give me that cake! Oh this place looks so amazing, I hope someday I am privileged enough to go to a place as good as this!
everything looks divine, must try it soon! cheers
Oh this is just insane…I am starving now. The salad and salmon and bread are just perfect. The sweets divine. This is the food I crave and could eat day after day after day. Now what in the World am I going to eat this moment that can compare with that?!!!
Oh and I loathe sharing my desserts with anyone, who can’t finish a dessert??
xoxo
I love all the photos you used they are fantastic
haha – My husband also worries when he thinks I’m taking him to some salad place (hence why he keeps trying to get out of brunch plans). And as a fellow dessert girl, I’m with you! Who can’t finish a slice of cheesecake?
gee whiz, what a gorgeous display of desserts! I love looking at all my options whenever I walk into a place to eat. thanks for sharing!
I totally cannot relate to two grown women NOT being able to polish off a gorgeous piece of cheesecake. I mean, pahleezzzzzee, who are they fooling. Likely went home to gorge on Ben & Jerry’s in private.
I adore your reviews, always loaded with humor and fab pics.This restaurant is one to not be missed if I ever get London bound.
Thanks lovie and do hope you & Mr. P have a wonderful, scrumptious weekend.
Hugs and kisses** deb
What a clown you are – if 2 grown women can’t finish their slice of cake, go home
. Swoon worthy. You make me smile. Have a great weekend dearie
This just the kind of restaurant that I enjoy. I love seasonal food. Thsi plaes looks wonderful. Proof that simply prepared and delicious is always best.
OMG, how can I missed this post! What a place to visit….god, just look at those food there! I’m totally drooling over the 2nd picture. You’re just soo funny! Those cakes your ordered look damn good! Did you finish Mr P’s one as well? hehe…. I would go for one more piece…!
Great-looking food! The counter full of treats looks amazing, and since I can’t get there right away, I’m now pondering getting the book.
The whole display of cakes and pastries! HH…that cheesecake with caramel is top of all!
Have a great weekend!
Angie
There seems to be no way I can get to ottolenghi anytime soon – I guess I will just have to drool and the pictures here in your blog and get the cookbook eh?
I am so jealous!!! you surely had very good looking food there!
Wow! This place looks great – and the food sounds fabulous!
Perfect!
What a lovely place for a date
Oh my goodness! I am glad I live too far away from London. The pastry display definitely will sweep me off my feet. The main course is simple but looked so fresh. Perhaps, next time you can get the out-of-this-world corn bread recipe.
I hope you had a tasty weekend!
I just love seasonal menus. We don’t have enough of that in restaurants in Tampa. Le sigh.
If I’m EVER in London…this is one place I MUST hunt down. I love the sweet ambience, and the food, oh the food! Amazing!
Oh HH .. I almost passed out with joy when I saw that spread in the restaurant! And u should’ve just given those 2 women a piece of your mind ,… then snatched the cheesecake from under their noses! I hate it when women get all fussy over things like that … screw ‘em! I too will be dreaming abt those desserts tonight *sigh*.
what a great food you had over there! I’m drooling over that sweets selection (the second picture) …. And I am going to add the Ottolenghi’s cookbook to my must-buy cook book list
cheers darling!
Hello Lady of Leisure!
That food looks beyond delish! Gorgeous foodie photos! Off to explore some more of your recipes and such!
xx
The lunch sounds delicious and so fresh and tasty. The caramel cheesecake and cake sounds fab!! I wouldn’t know what to chose
Sounds good! I am glad you got to go and experience it; I would have loved to try their cornbread! I am gonna try and snag that recipe somehow!
The display of treats is amazing! And our commentary on the cheesecake – hilarious!
OH MY FLIPPIN’ GOSH!!!!! WHy, oh why did I not know you were from the UK before we travelled there last month? You would have been the perfect person to get referrals from for little gems like this. What a treat. Now I have to look up where Islington is. I wonder if we were there. This is my kind of place and though it is against Vanja’s code of ethics to wait in a line for anything – we would love it! (I wait while he goes for coffee, or does his thing, and then I call him when I am in… it is a good trade off.:) and he is actually an angel… just hates lines)
I don’t think we will ever be back to London proper – the UK, yet… but I can at least enjoy a little bit of this special place through the recipes you have shared – and will share… right?
Valerie