How to keep Mum happy? Keep her near the shops and with a light but delicious menu. It’s a mistake to take your Mum to your favourite pub. She’ll take one look at the menu and order the smallest salad (if she’s anything like my Mum). Much as I love taking my Mother out for a beetroot salad it gets a little tiresome. So if your beloved Mum is making the trip to London the least you can do is think a little outside the box. I’m well tested on this so take my word for it. These are the restaurants to make her trip worthwhile (apart from seeing your gorgeous face of course).
Stripped back wooden decor and staff that will bend over backwards, The Orange is the failsafe Pimlico option for lunch ticking all appropriate parent-friendly boxes.
Follow with a little stroll to Daylesford Organic to stock up on cheese for Dad and a bunch of flowers from the gorgeous florist opposite. Brownie points = tick.
With an ideal location between OKA in South Kensington and the bustling shops of the Kings Road, Bumpkin’s Chelsea venue offers dreamy outside space and seasonal, light dishes.
They always have a great fish option to choose from (crab salad is the dish of choice) and they may be just a little taken with the decor. All flowery wallpaper and Colefax-esque seating.
Being a stone’s throw from Peter Jones is a serious tick so they can have a look at curtains (when do mothers not like looking at curtains) whilst on their way to stock up at Liz Earle.
Manicomio’s Poco Cafe is the affordable deli option with delicious quiches, tortillas and polenta cakes to dive into (your shopping may be put on hold to sift through the menu).
Brinkley’s Garden, Fulham Road
Being our Mum’s favourite – I think it being the reason they haven’t changed their menu in 10 years – means the safely comforting menu choices of old. The tuna and avocado tartare always seems to go down a storm but she has stuck to the prawn curry for the last 3 years being a creature of habit. It’s a great al fresco option as well in nice weather.
With the wine being under £12 it’s a nice excuse for a bottle. It’d be rude not to.
This unassuming little deli by Lots Road is the perfect antidote from a morning of antique shopping. Megan’s Deli has a great little garden out back for Summer days or you can grab a bite to eat on the run from their seasonal menu.
Watermelon and feta salads alongside fabulous homemade soups will go down well with the Mum watching her figure.
Parsons Green has been crying out for a restaurant like this. Since opening in 2014, Hally’s has brought a touch of Cornish glamour to Fulham (not that Fulham needs that much more glamour but expect white-washed driftwood to reminisce of those glamorous holidays in Rock).
The menu is delicious; smashed avocado with ricotta and lentil and halloumi salads aplenty. This is how to put a smile on Mum’s face.
Expect service with a smile on the Wandsworth Bridge Road who opened Boma knowing what the Fulham residents are looking for. The menu changes daily and they go above and beyond. The evening meals here are particularly delicious. I’d recommend sharing the dumplings with Mum and going for the curries for mains.
The staff have some cheeky smiles and banter so expect them to get their flirt on with Mum to put a smile on her face. She’s not passed it just yet.
