Review by my friend Lynn
I was first introduced to the Gate by some enthusiastically omnivorous friends back in the mid 90s. I still remember those plantain fritters. Fast forward twenty years and Hammersmith’s light and airy haven of imaginative vegetarian cooking is still going strong, serving elegant treats with an eclectic range of flavours from around the world. And it’s still one of my favourite places to eat, reliable, friendly and never dull. It had, however, taken me AGES to get Helen there, so the invitation for a review provided the final nudge.
The first thing that strikes you about the place is the space – high ceilinged and lit by an enormous arched window, the building was built as a studio for the artist Frank Brangwyn and Helen is now coveting it as a photographic studio. Dreams of artistic endeavour on hold, we made an assault on the chef’s creative efforts instead.
We ordered what turned out to be two substantial starters – pumpkin, dolcelatte and sage tart, a rich baked custard in shortcrust, and a courgette flower stuffed with sweet potato, goats’ cheese and pine nuts, battered and served on puy lentils with aioli.
Main courses were a butternut and goat’s cheese filled potato rotolo in a creamy lemon and herb butter sauce, delicate and rich, and for contrast, the robust flavours of teriyaki aubergine stuffed with pungent coriander, horseradish and red pepper. Helen said she wasn’t sure she could eat a whole plate of either (we really didn’t need the polenta chips we ordered), but we polished them off between us all the same and were still greedy enough to try the dessert mezze.
Unlike some of New York’s smarter vegetarian establishments, the Gate is not a vegan restaurant but about two thirds of the menu could be served vegan on request. A three-course lunch for two with a glass of wine, a fruit juice cocktail and coffees came to £86.41 including service.
The Gate,
51 Queen Caroline St,
Hammersmith,
London W6 9QL
020 8748 6932
Fuss Free Flavours was the guest of The Gate, all opinions our own.
For another viewpoint here is Jeanne’s review of The Gate Islington.
Becca @ Amuse Your Bouche
I have The Gate cookbook and love it, I really must make the effort to go down to the restaurant one day. All the food looks absolutely wonderful, so original.
Helen
Well worth a visit, you will really enjoy it Becca – there is anoher restaurant in Islington too.
kellie@foodtoglow
I haven’t eat in awhile (too busy posting on my own blog!) so this review is literally making my poor tummy growl. I have heard so much about this restaurant but have never been. Right, this is definitely going on the list for next time I am down.Very good review, Lynn.
Helen
You will love it Kellie! Let me know when you are in London.
Lynn
Islington is very nice too – they sometimes have lovely cocktails that don’t seem to figure at Hammersmith.
Marcus
Going to a vegetarian restaurant is such a relief. Being able to choose from the whole menu is a rare delight!
Helen
That is exactly what my friend Lynn says, Marcus!
Emily Leary
Wow! I will definitely be paying a visit.
Helen
You would love it there next time you are in London Emily.
Jeanne Horak-Druiff
Oh I love the Gate! I was first introduced to the Hammersmith branch by a vegetarian friend in 2000 but seldom go back there since I stopped working in Hammersmith years ago. Delighted to find that there is one in Islington too and recently visited – and had the same starters as you did! Excellent, aren’t they??
Helen
They are excellent, and absolutely worth visiting. Lynn had nagged me for ages to go, so it was a pleasure to take her.
Jacqueline Meldrum
Can’t believed I missed this review. I love this restaurant. Such good veggie food! Tweeted, G+ and stumbled.
Helen
Thanks for sharing Jac. It was such an amazing lunch, and that space at Hammersmith. I want it as my studio.