Southam Restaurant Review
On the corner of Golborne Road is Southam Street, once a Victorian Pub, now a three-storey high townhouse, serving up a fusion of Peruvian Japanese food.
Our meal commenced with a mandatory bowl of edamame. I am one of the rare few who doesn’t quite get the fuss behind this snack, however the sweetness of the soy sauce entrapped me pretty quickly and so I nibbled away happily. There are two menus available for dinner, Japanese raw and robata grill. The staff recommend to begin with raw, which is not as intense in flavours. To start, we ordered seabream and Scottish salmon sushi along with crevice. Within seconds, it became clear the star of the show was the ceviche – fused smoke Chu-Toro Tataki in a Peruvian panca soy dressing. What is that? We hear you cry. It is blue fin tuna, in particular the light rose coloured area which is known in Japanese as Toro-keru, meaning “melting on the tongue.”
For the robata grill menu, in typical Peruvian fashion we opted for a set of small plates and a large seabass. The fish again struck out as the favourite. The seabass had been baked and served with punchy citrus flavours. It also came with a spicy kosho rub, currently a hot trend in the culinary world.
Our waiter recommended the Dirty Fries, a popular choice amongst locals. Stodge with a twist, bring on the melted cheese and homemade curry sauce. Rule of thumb, if you want to eat something hearty with oomph then you will love this. However, if you want to feel airy after your meal then this isn’t the right choice for you. The Wagyu Beef Slider, which just about managed to keep standing is a must for meat lovers, along with moreish steamed bao bun with Korean spice fried chicken. Those who enjoy sweet tasting flavours should look out for the Vegetable and salmon thai salad, and the fish cakes would be the item we would definitely want to have again.
For dessert, we tried the molten chocolate molleux, matched unexpectedly with a matcha ice cream. The fresh strawberry chawan mushu, a kind of custard, had a refreshing and softer taste to it, a satisfactory dessert to end the meal.
Before visiting, we had checked out Southam Restaurant’s Instagram page and knew there was more to this restaurant than what you first see. If you venture through the doors of the main dining area, you will begin to feel like you have entered somewhere different altogether. Staged like a doll’s house, but far more vivacious, each room has its own distinctive character, designed to make you swoon and feel less inhibited all in one.
Upstairs is the millennial pink Whisky and Sake bar, and up another floor is the member’s club, apartments, and parlour where you will discover an array of eastern and western inspired late night Tequila tipples and Mezcal margaritas.
Southam Street have also recently launched their Al Fresco spaces including a jungle print cushioned sun terrace. A great spot to chill with friends and talk away. For those of you looking to hold private parties, there is an out-door BBQ garden, and a lush green dining area, both perfect for intimate gatherings.
Oh and did we mention the karma sutra inspired wall paper, upstairs with a DJ and dancing pole? No. Well that’s a story for another day!
Restaurant Opening Times: Tuesday – Sunday
Website: http://www.southamstreet.com
Address: 36 Golborne Road, London, W10 5PR Notting Hill
Written by Hena Husain
