The Doukan Restaurant – Wandsworth

Doukan is a delightful Moroccan bar and restaurant on the main street, seconds from Wandsworth Town station. I sat outside and sipped the Prosecco I’d kindly been given and pretended to mull over the wine list. Wine is wine after all, in my opinion.

The interior is cosily decorated with warm colours, exposed bricks and fire places. It really felt like we were sitting in a restaurant in Marrakech. For a starter we ordered a Doukan Platter for Two, which was an elegantly designed platter including falafel, hummus, spicy mini-sausages, deep fried broccoli and sweet and sour breaded chicken. This was a delicious starter and each bit was moreish. My friend Will made it awkward by spilling his and my wine everywhere. It even got on the jacket of the woman on the next door table.

After the charming waiting staff had cleared away this sea of red wine, we ordered our mains. I had the Djaj Mechoui recommended and was very glad I opted for this. This is a dish of tarragon and coriander marinated chicken, chargrilled and served with mixed leaves on a soft flatbread. The chicken was probably the most flavoursome chicken I have eaten, and you could taste the hint of chargrill. This was absolutely delicious and a large portion too. My friend was equally happy with his Tender Lamb Tagine, served with couscous.

I found out after that Doukan had been a finalist on Gordon Ramsay’s The F Word in the world food category. To reach this stage ahead of the 10,000 nominated restaurants, gives an idea of the quality and flavours of the food.

Although now deeply paranoid about the repercussions of spilling more wine, we stayed for dessert. We both went for Choux a la Glace Vanille and Hot chocolate sauce. The rich chocolate seeped through the crumbly pastry and the vanilla ice cream provided the perfect accompaniment.

The restaurant has a relaxed atmosphere and it would make an ideal place to take your partner for a romantic night. It’s also a fine place to take a friend, even a clumsy one like mine. It isn’t particularly cheap, but you wouldn’t expect it to be considering the quality. My main course cost £13.75 but was well worth it.

 

Doukan is open seven days a week and it is well worth a visit if you enjoy Moroccan food.

 

Website: http://www.doukan.co.uk/

Tel: 020 8870 8280

Address: 350 Old York Rd, Wandsworth, London, SW18 1SS

 

Written by Martin Stocks | @Stocks1986

Martin runs our collaborative story High Society. Have a read of the latest part here.