Stevie Parle is back, baby.
The new normal? It's looking like drive-in cinemas, British staycations and outdoor dining. Spearheading the alfresco experience in West London is Stevie Parle; acclaimed chef, restaurateur and food writer behind the likes of Palatino, Craft and Pastaio. For his latest project, Parle is teaming up with designer Tom Dixon (you might recognise his interiors at Sea Containers and Coal Office) for JOY, a brand new pop-up in Notting Hill. That means a garden filled with dahlias, space for 70 covers and plenty of outdoor seating.
Taking over from what was once Dock Kitchen, the space will include Parle’s own honey store, a farm-to-fork produce shop from The Goods Shed in Canterbury, a bar and pop-up restaurant FLORA. Expect views overlooking Regent’s Canal, beehives and pontoons along the waterway... all just moments from lively Ladbroke Grove.
Serving beautiful, seasonal, summertime food, the kitchen will see daily changing blackboard menus using fresh produce sourced each morning from Kent. We're talking clams cooked in butter and Fosse Meadows Chicken stuffed with ricotta and nduja. To wash it all down? Think natural wines from Uncharted Wines, BierCraft's hoppy tipples and spritzes in the sun from the alfresco aperitivo and rosé bar.
But that's not all, as JOY will also be supporting the local community by distributing quality produce to vulnerable people. Sounds good to us.
FLORA opens on Friday 31st July, with bookings available on Wednesday evenings and all day Thursday to Sunday. Find it at JOY on Portobello Dock, 344 Ladbroke Grove, London, W10 5BU. For more seasonal inspo, check out our guide to London's best summer pop-ups.
