Perhaps I stand to lose any remaining shreds of my street cred (if I ever had any to begin with), but I have to admit that I’ve grown especially fond of paying visits to Westfield Stratford City. Yes, the mall.
For an East London resident like me, it’s quicker to get to and more convenient than the West End. And pretty much anything retail-y that could possibly pull me out to Oxford Circus (for example) is now in Stratford. Westfield is ace for pride time people watching as well. And the place still has that “new car smell” about it. I’m just this side of very impressed with the dining options around the mall too.
So, when an invite came my way to sample the new autumn menu at the Westfield Stratford City outlet of Bumpkin, I was keen to take advantage of the opportunity to try another restaurant and get to know the scene a little better.
Bumpkin is a small, London-based restaurant group. They’ve got three locations: the original in Notting Hill, another in South Ken and this newest one in Stratford. The group makes a big deal about using “only the freshest seasonal British ingredients” that have been “reared and caught in harmony with the environment wherever possible” and sourced from “welfare-friendly” farms. I commend them for it. I also ought to applaud the group for creating a tasty menu and an invitingly cosy setting for eating out.
Kemey and I visited Bumpkin on a Sunday evening (last night if you’re reading this review on its published date). It was an ideal venue for a low key dinner. On the downside, a couple of regular menu items I was hoping to try (the only English wine they serve by the glass and a specific cheese) weren’t available. Oh well. Maybe stocks were wiped out during a super busy Sunday lunch or it was just a case of end of the week dwindling? Whatever the situation, it wasn’t a deal breaker, and staff were extremely accommodating otherwise.
What I did manage to have brought to my table was delish: from “nibbles” of artisan bread served with rapeseed oil and ample amounts of amazingly yummy butter (£3.45) through to a delightfully diverse British cheeseboard (40g each at £3.75 or three for £10.95 along with plenty of biscuits, apple slices etc) – I loved trying the smelly and Epoisses-like Oxford Isis and will now be on steady lookout for it.
Between the bread and butter nibbles and the cheeseboard closing, highlights included the home made carrot and pumpkin soup of the day (£5.50) and an awesome starter course of pan fried king scallops with crispy bacon, apple and vanilla puree (£9.95). Fingers crossed they’ll keep serving both throughout this season. A fillet of mackerel burger (a brioche-y bun topped with a tomato, onion and caper relish and lettuce served with skin-on chips, £13.95) was a hearty and satisfying main that I could actually see myself craving again soon. Sides orders of wilted greens and peas (£3.95 each) pleased. I thought the peas were particularly flavoursome.
Kemey enjoyed her dishes as much as I did … and loved the cheeses. We both were happy with our choice of cocktails too. I had a potent and peppery bloody Mary (Stolichnaya vodka, tomato juice with hints of basil and fresh chillies, complimented with house-made spices, £8). Kemey, an Earl Grey Royal (Earl Grey tea syrup, scented with lemon shaken together and lightly topped with English sparkling wine, £8). A pint of the restaurant’s own Bumpkin lager (brewed by Shepherd Neame, £4) went down a charm with my fishy burger and chips.
We both wondered if prices were a bit steep. But if Bumpkin truly is sourcing sustainably and ethically and the quality of food and size of portions that we experienced are the standard then I reckon it’s worth what’s charged.
Bumpkin is located 105-106 The Street, Westfield Stratford City, E20 1EN as well as in Notting Hill and South Kensington. Find out more at bumpkinuk.com.
