Phone: +442081813850
Address: 209 Westbourne Park Road, London I-W11 1EA, United Kingdom
City: London
Menu Dishes: 7
Reviews: 760
"If you were to ask me if travelling from essex to west london to visit Caractere is worth it my answer would be a resounding yes. I say this because saturday was the fourth time we’ve completed this journey. The reason for this is quite simple really because this restaurant is absolutely amazing and where the standards in food and service just keep rising to the next level each time we visit. This was even more evident on our latest visit and why Caractere has become one of our favourite restaurants to dine out in.. As we entered we were given a delightful welcome by manager Eugenio before he escorted us to our table. It was then time to meet assistant manager Antonella who also gave us a nice welcome back as then did other members of staff which really gives you a lovely feeling. We were then given the menu which is set out into six categories with apart from the cheese has two courses in each. You can choose between a Lunch Menu , A la Carte or like we have always done go for the adventurous Tasting Menu. The next thing was to choose a bottle of wine to which I was quite proud of myself as we’ve recently had a wine tasting session to gain more knowledge of wine and in particular french. So with this and a little help from Eugenio we chose a fabulous Crozes-Hermitage Sybele 2018 from the northern Rhône valley that as it turned out was a delightful pairing with the entire menu. Before the arrival of our first course we actually met Emily Roux for the first time and she really is a lovely lady and was an absolute pleasure to talk to throughout our entire lunch. It was also nice to see her joining the team by bringing out the food to each table. Now let’s move on to the food itself. The first category is called CURIOUS and here we started with a Crab Tartelette with sturgeon bottarga and wasabi condiment that was absolutely delicious and just a dream beginning. My wife chose the other dish which was an Aubergine Ravioli with sicilian red prawns , samphire and a bisque. You could clearly see by the delight on her face how good this dish was. We now moved onto SUBTLE and what was to follow was absolute heaven. I allowed my wife to have the signature Celeriac ‘Cacio e Pepe’ with aged balsamic vinegar. This allowed myself to enjoy a truly outstanding dish of Acquerello Risotto with parsley , gorgonzola , piment d’espelette and breadcrumbs that personally will go down as probably the best risotto I’ve had the pleasure of eating. It was creamy , cheesy and with the addition of breadcrumbs sent your palate into orbit. Now we moved onto the fish category called DELICATE and here we got to enjoy two more fabulous dishes. My wife opted for the Roast Turbot on the bone with crispy potato , foraged leaves and seaweed condiment. For myself I had the Steamed Cornish Cod with petit pois , cauliflower and creamed chicken jus. These dishes were an absolute delight and lightened your palate after the previous course. Now it was time for the main course ROBUST and where these dishes did that title proud. The roast dry aged Creedy Carver Duck with glazed and stuffed artichoke , red wine jus and the addition of a Duck Sandwich. This was a dish that my wife described as the best duck dish she’d ever tasted. I was left with the pleasure of enjoying the latest version of the Herdwick Lamb. The roast saddle with sweetbreads , courgette , sultanas and crispy shallots was definitely the best version of the lamb dish they’ve created to date. Next to follow was the STRONG category or cheese course. This was a fabulous selection of french cheeses with homemade seed crackers , apple and prune chutney. We’ve now reached the finale GREEDY. This is the dessert section where we finished with their version of the Rum Baba with english raspberries. I had the delight of enjoying the Coffee Tartelette with almond praline , “caffe borghetti” liqueur and chantilly a fabulous take on a tiramisu."
Full menu - 7 options
All prices are estimates on menu.
Seafood
Prawn
Juicy prawns grilled to perfection, seasoned with garlic and herbs, served with a tangy lemon butter sauce.
Sides
Wasabi
A vibrant blend of spicy and tangy flavors, this green paste adds a fiery kick to sushi or sashimi, enhancing your dining experience.
Pasta
Ravioli
Pasta pockets filled with ricotta and spinach, served in a rich tomato sauce.
Rice
Risotto
Creamy Arborio rice cooked to perfection, with a rich blend of Parmesan and fresh seasonal vegetables.
Dessert
Tiramisu menu
A classic Italian dessert featuring layers of coffee-soaked ladyfingers, rich mascarpone cream, and a dusting of cocoa powder.
Vegetarian
Cauliflower
Crispy cauliflower florets with tangy lemon aioli and a sprinkle of fresh herbs.
Pizza
Julie
really cute place with a beautiful atmosphere eating is amazing, try her truffle risotto, as it is one of her best dishes!
Address
Reviews
Luke
This is a very cozy restaurant with a beautiful atmosphere. I really love the interior design, and the food is exceptional. I highly recommend this place; it’s even better than many Michelin-starred restaurants.
Christopher
Excellent value for the price. The £45 menu offers Michelin-level quality with delicious Italian-French fusion cuisine. The dishes are beautifully presented, and the service is attentive. Considering London standards, it's truly impressive.
Evie
We came here to celebrate a birthday and we had an incredible experience. The tasting menu was creative, beautifully presented, and ultimately very delicious. Do try their creamy black truffle risotto covered in generous shavings of truffle! The service was professional and there was a very good atmosphere. We will definitely return! View menu
Martin
Better than many Michelin starred restaurants. The prawn tartar and risotto was exceptional. The lamb was very good. We ordered the tasting menu with a glass each, the bill was £260 for the 2 of us which is reasonable and acceptable considering the quality of the food and service, surpasses a lot of Michelin restaurants. Will visit again
Ethan
Came for a celebratory occasion and it was almost as if the host knew service was impeccable, with very friendly and professional staff. the tasting menu is delicious and the food is beautifully presented (few shots below) Great value for the calibre of food, location, and setting. Have already recommended to friends in the area. I feel like they may be on their way to a Michelin star if I were to guess.
Vanessa
It was a pleasure to experience the tasting menu, which featured a unique option for each course. However, the service felt a bit too French for this level of dining and could benefit from a more relaxed pace that aligns with the rhythm of the guests. The cooking was outstanding in many respects, but the overall design and creativity fell just short of what is needed to earn their first Michelin star. Enhancing the depth of flavor in the sauces could make a significant difference. The wine pairings and selection were exceptional, and it's worth a visit just for the wine alone. Overall, it was a promising experience that could be improved with some minor adjustments. View menu
Erin
If you were to ask me if travelling from essex to west london to visit Caractere is worth it my answer would be a resounding yes. I say this because saturday was the fourth time we’ve completed this journey. The reason for this is quite simple really because this restaurant is absolutely amazing and where the standards in food and service just keep rising to the next level each time we visit. This was even more evident on our latest visit and why Caractere has become one of our favourite restaurants to dine out in.. As we entered we were given a delightful welcome by manager Eugenio before he escorted us to our table. It was then time to meet assistant manager Antonella who also gave us a ni...
Categories
-
French Classic French cuisine showcasing timeless elegance, our menu offers rich and flavorful dishes crafted with traditional techniques and seasonal ingredients, promising an unforgettable culinary experience. Bon appétit!
-
Italian Savor the rich and diverse flavors of Italy with our menu, offering classic pasta, savory risottos, and traditional meat and seafood dishes, all crafted with authentic ingredients and passion. Buon appetito! View menu
-
European Delight in a culinary journey across Europe with our exquisitely crafted menu, featuring authentic dishes from France, Italy, Spain, and beyond, using the freshest ingredients to bring traditional flavors to life.
-
Vegetarian Delight in our vibrant collection of vegetarian dishes, crafted with the freshest greens, rich flavors, and savory spices. Enjoy a wholesome, delectable plate that celebrates nature's finest ingredients.
