The Venue
Found right in the heart of the High Street, Japanese-Latin fusion restaurant Mommi can be found just a hop and a skip away from Clapham North underground station. The slick, modern eatery instantly adds sophistication to a street you’re more likely to find yourself stumbling down after a few post-commute Pinot Grigios.
Inside leather booths line the windows to the right, providing a prime opportunity to people watch or peer into the open kitchen that beats at the centre of the restaurant. To the left, an extensive bar equipped with an exciting cocktail menu makes the venue ideal whether you’re OUT out, or just after something to eat. The design combination of wooden panelling and down-lighting could potentially be a little reminiscent of Christian Grey’s “Red Room of Pain” - but one look at the menu and we’re sure Mommi only want to please.
Wood paneling and low-lighting bring a slick feel to this fresh new High Street eatery.
Food and Drinks
Although what we initially thought was a surprising pairing, the Japanese-Latin fusion focus of the menu soon proves itself to be a perfect partnership. Well known classic Chicken Teriyaki gets a facelift with zingy lime infused quinoa, and succulent Sea Bass sits on a spiced sweet potato sauce, adding a kick to your fish course. Even Tenderstem Broccoli and Asparagus tastes as never before thanks to a topping of toasted almonds and moreish ginger - if greens were always this good, your mum would never have had to beg you to eat them.
All dishes are designed as tapas-style sharing plates, but when the food is this good, you might not want to - one dish you’ll definitely want to keep to yourself are the Crispy Pork Bites with roasted sweet potato and habanero chilli. Three dishes per person should provide perfect portions - if you’re too full to fit in a pudding afterwards, try a tipple from the Cuban inspired cocktail list. The wine list is limited but in no means lacking - the Tempranillo-Touriga perfectly complimented each course.
Mommi offers a quirky hybrid of two very different cuisines, with Cuban cocktails to boot.
The Atmosphere and Clientéle
The sharing plates policy and cosy seating arrangements at Mommi makes it an ideal location for a second date - it’s intimate and rife with opportunities play-fight over who gets the last slice of Smoked Beef Fillet. Thanks to the venues split into restaurant and bar, it’s easy to cross over from early drinks to dinner and vica versa. The music is subtle enough to ignore but also helps create ambience - essential when you don’t want your meal to come with a migraine on the side. Mommi exudes a gentle class that attracts patrons somewhere in between young professionals and well heeled restaurant goers. There’s nothing pretentious about the place, and the employees couldn’t do more to make your experience as enjoyable as possible. Feel free to ask for recommendations - the staff are only too happy to share their menu favourites. The only warning - take care on the polished wooden floors - it’s easy to slip, especially when wearing heels or if it’s wet outside.
Cosy and communal, Mommi lends itself to laid-back date nights and vibrant gatherings with your mates.
Summary
Mommi is a more than welcome addition to the South London restaurant scene. Attentive staff, mouth-wateringly moreish courses and modern design in an easy to reach location makes Mommi a new jewel in Clapham's crown.
