"Newly opened Queenswood is a neighbourhood restaurant and bar from the same folk as Damson Co., located in quaint Battersea Square. It's a stunning site, full of thoughtful interior design touches from Eloisa Cuturi including a playful drawing, spread over wall mounted literature, a faux Cocteau sketch, and numerous eye catching lights. An airy coffee table destined for Royal College of Art students and their Macbooks welcomes you before you make it to a stylish cocktail bar and spacious counter for dining that The Palomar can only dream of. Two record players lie in wait for relaxed Sunday sessions with a BYOLP system. Let's talk cocktails. The bar is not an afterthought in fact, it's just what Battersea Square needs. Apart from Zocalo next door (a lively agave joint get the Mezcal Negroni), we've not got a lot to work with (London House, Bunga Bunga, Doodle Bar). Luckily, Queenswood's affordable £8 cocktail list includes some real winners: Negroni Rosemary infused gin, Campari, Barolo Chinato, dash of Balsamic Champ Honey Sochu, Suze, Cocchi Torino Cherry Heering Hemp Old Fashioned Unaged Rye Spirit, Hemp Syrup, Bitters Filbert's Treat Monkey Shoulder, Cocchi Americano, Frangelico Abstract Infusion Mezcal, Fernet Branca, Creme de Apricot, Byrrh Moving on to food, Queenswood have called on Parisian Aude Plocktor who has devised a menu that calls on many cuisines. From Galician Octopus to Israeli Couscous via Squid Tempura and Thai Beef Slad, it's an odd collection of dishes! Here's what we went for: Octopus Nicoise Green Beans, Saffron Boiled Potato, Cherry Tomato, Peppers, Olives Lettuce Smoked Duck Salad Bamboo Shoots, Green Beans, Orange Grapefruit, Coriander, Sesame Seeds Ginger Pig Bavette Steak (x2) served with Chips Roasted Root Vegetables Baked Apple (x2) Coconut Yoghurt, French Toast The starters made a decent impression, but the glorious Ginger Pig meat stole the show. Check the blackboard when you arrive to see how many steaks are left, and reserve a couple without hesitation. The Baked Apple was also a real treat, beautifully presented, and much more interesting than the name suggests. Alternative desserts of African Cacao Chocolate Souffle and Caramelised Pineapple with Mint Ajowan Seed Syrup also deserve a go. All in all, it was a very pleasant lunch, and Queenswood shows a lot of promise. I'll be back again soon for more of Igor's cocktails, and to check out the weekend brunch menu. Locals are bound to flock to it, especially in Summer when Battersea Square comes in to its own."
