LONDON: Fernandez & Wells

If I had to choose a place that would represent my final year at King's, it would have to be Fernandez & Wells. Ever since the law school opened up at Somerset House, I've been practically living there in between lectures/tutorials. The food is well-sourced, prepared with astute taste and well priced as far as cafes in London go (KCL students get a discount). Unfortunately, the distinct quality of their food and service isn't lost on Londoners who have flocked to Fernandez like bees to honey. 

I highly recommend the poached salmon sandwich and the aubergine goat's cheese sandwich, both toasted. 

As a tapas bar that draws inspiration from the food of France and Spain, Fernandez is a step above almost every cafe that I've visited. With its elegantly light spacious interiors of metal, wood and stone and warm wait staff, it makes for a pleasant afternoon catching up with friends and never fails to satisfy my craving for an honest-to-goodness meal. 

Unfortunately however, Fernandez's open concept, as enticing as it is as an interior, fails to serve its purpose in the ventilation department. The chefs are so often smoking hams or cooking things between the toasters placed in the same room as the customer's tables that you tend to leave it smelling like the food. 

Have you heard of a sinful vegetarian sandwich? I didn't think they'd exist until I tried Fernandez's Portobello mushroom, stilton & spinach sandwich and their Grilled aubergine, goat's cheese & pesto sandwich. Who thought stacking a mishmash of ingredients between two slices of bread would taste so heavenly? 

Sandwiches run out fast - get yours before 3pm hits. 

Attention to detail is the winning factor behind the food at Fernandez. The founders, Rick Wells and Jorge Fernandez, were previously at Monmouth Coffee Company and that might explain why the coffee at Fernandez is so good - a rarity amongst most non-coffee-focused eateries. 

Fernandez & Wells

Somerset House

Opening times: 

MON-FRI 8am-10pm
SAT 10am-10pm
SUN 10am-8pm

0207 420 9408

LONDON: Texture

COCONUT

CHOCOLATE, ICE CREAM, YOGURT

A world without a sense of taste or smell would be tragically dull. Having been sick for the past week, I am, unfortunately, acutely aware of this fact. To console myself, or perhaps to motivate my recovery process, I've decided to write about Texture. The restaurant was refreshingly affordable for a michelin starred restaurant at £21.90 for 2 courses on the lunch menu. With its icelandic influences, Texture successfully pulls off a playful twist on the myriad flavours and textures that food has to offer. 

SALMON CEVICHE

ASIAN FLAVOURS

ORGANIC DUCK

LEG, CELERIAC, BACON 

CORNISH SKATE

FREGOLA, LEMON, SEA VEGETABLES, VEGETABLES VINAIGRETTE

Though my scallop starter was mediocre at most (I've even forgotten its name), I was delighted with my main course of cornish skate. I'd previously tried ray wing at Dinner by Heston and knowing the two are similar, I was immediately drawn to it on the menu. Somehow intensely flavoured yet light at the same time, the skate melted onto my taste buds like butter. The coconut dessert (above) that we ordered as an afterthought was a playground of textures and flavours, with the comfortingly warm coconut cake in the centre juxtaposed by cool chocolate and yogurt.

If you're looking for a light-hearted, fresh, yet reasonably priced meal, I'd suggest spending an afternoon at Texture. 

CHOCOLATE & EARL GREY GANACHE

YORKSHIRE RHUBARB, MILK ICE CREAM, HAZELNUT CRUMBS

Texture restaurant 
34 Portman Street
London W1H 7BY
020 7224 0028