Dining Club meets bi-monthly on Thursday evenings exploring restaurants in NW London
Next meal – Thursday 22nd January 2026 – Mr. Fish, 51 Salusbury Road, Queens Park
For our first dinner of the year, our choice of dishes will include king prawns, calamari or whitebait; fish & chips, or grilled (unbattered fish) with new potatoes; chicken dishes or burger; veggie, bean or halloumi burgers; salads and comforting desserts, like apple pie or sponges with custard, which may be welcome on a January evening.
Further details from Desi
Past meals
Thursday 27th November: Nilly’s Curries at Nilly Flowers
A record 20 of us enjoyed a ‘supper club’ experience, with an array of Nilly’s Sri Lankan dishes, including the popular street food, Sri Lankan Hoppers, which we were able to watch Nilly make. Nilly, and her son Ade, absolutely loved having us there, and answering all our enthusiastic questions. Finally, Catherine was given a very belated birthday cake, and some us us left with an armful of beautiful flowers. ”That was a very special evening; thoroughly enjoyed it.” “Fabulous food , a lovely evening, Nilly was a star” “The food was great and a charming venue; I’m definitely tempted to buy flowers there.” “A memorable evening.” “Excellent as always.” “Isn’t Nilly a sweetie? The food was great and I plan to visit again.”
Thursday 25th September – Pizza Pilgrims, Queens Park
Holding onto the last of summer, twelve of us returned to this popular local venue and, while enjoying a variety of unusual delicious starters and pizzas, we were able to catch up on summer experiences, including holidays, a French hospital, a first grandchild and a new puppy!
Thursday 24th July – Lahpet Burmese Restaurant, Covent Garden.
A very special treat – we were so lucky to be seated on their balcony, looking down on the central London hullabaloo from the quiet comfort of our tables. And, fortunately, with this relatively new cuisine, the selections were made for us with our special set menu. “Such delicious food” “Scrumptious! Will definitely go again” “That was great” “A really lovely evening”.
Thursday 29th May – Alto by San Carlo, Selfridges Roof Top
Twelve of us were served a large variety of Italian dishes at this summery venue – in fact it almost felt like being on holiday with a bunch of friends. “Another dining experience. It was lovely to see so many and in a perfect setting for such a balmy evening.” “A very enjoyable evening with good, fresh food and lovely company – a lovely setting too.” “Had such a good time yesterday – tasty food, wonderful company, and the non-alcoholic pina colada was lovely.” “Another very special dining club experience – lovely seeing everyone.” “Hear, hear!”
Thursday 27th March – The Vincent Rooms, Westminster Kingsway College
What a fantastic evening! We were looked after by two attentive boys, enjoying their first year training as chefs, and who had ambitions to work at Michelin-starred restaurants, somewhere in the world, and eventually own their own restaurants. After a variety of fresh bread rolls, we were given our superb dishes cooked by second and third year students. Perfect presentations, the halibuts were delicious, and quite a few of us had the melt-in-the-mouth beef cheeks; dessert included a sensational baked alaska. Prices were extremely reasonable for the quality of the dishes, plus all the complimentary things they gave us – fresh rolls, cups of coffee; and Michelle even managed to charm them into giving, her, their last big bag of freshly baked Hot Cross Buns!
Thursday 30th January – Mestizo Mexican Restaurant
Wow! The Latin American New Year Tamales Festival! Aztecs took Tamales on hunting trips – a maize dough steamed in corn husks). It was buzzing, and our drinks included coconut rum cocktails; then some members ordered the spectacular Molcajete – a stew served in a volcanic bowl, dexterously delivered by waiters rushing around. Most of us finished with yummy hot, crunchy Churros and caramel sauce; but, lastly, as the head of our party, Desi had to down in one a Mexican anise seed drink – accompanied by a burst of loud Mexican music and clapping. What an evening!
Thursday 28th November – Anjanaas, Willesden Lane
”Thanks for arranging a fun night” “Had a great time” “Lovely company” “I really enjoyed the evening”. Twelve of us had a good time at this friendly local Keralan restaurant. We began the evening playing with matchstick puzzles, before a colourful variety of dishes arrived thick and fast – starting with dosas, bhajis, samosas and the very colourful veg and meat Thalis; all really tasty, including an interesting milky vermicelli dessert. Desi rounded off the evening by surprising everyone with a Christmas gift – thank you Desi!!
Thursday 26 September – Tsehay Ethiopian Restaurant
Following the Ethiopian New Year, Tsehay specially opened their doors to us; making us feel at home, two lovely ladies prepared big dishes for us to share a variety of food, served on a bed of injera, a fermented pancake-like bread. We were fascinated to see the coffee beans roasting and, with the aroma, none of us could resist finishing with a cup of fresh Ethiopian coffee
Thursday 25 July – Brasserie Blanc, Southbank
“A really great fun evening” “A great night, so much fun” “The food was excellent and reasonably priced”. There were gasps of delight when the cheese soufflés arrived, followed by other starters and more gasps. Then an array of mains included crab, pork & apricot roulade and bouillabaise. Afters: crème brûlée and pistachio soufflé; with the chef specially making a Raspberry Soufflé birthday dessert for Caroline. The staff were great … oh, and we were joined by, none other than, Raymond Blanc!
Thursday 23 May – The Waterway, Formosa Street, W9
”It was such a lovely evening and dining outside felt like summer really is on it’s way.” Wrapped up warm, twelve of us had a fun time dining alfresco, by the canal, in the evening sunlight, and then candlelight. The Waterway was buzzing, and we were well looked-after; the dishes were well presented and all delicious, and after the brûlée’s and affogato, we finished with nougat from Paris
Thursday 18 April – Breakfast in the Sky Garden
Eight of us enjoyed a wonderful breakfast in the Sky Garden, taking in the incredible views on what proved to be a perfect sunny day! The comments in the WhatsApp afterwards speak for themselves:
”It was so good I’ve booked to go back again.” “Thanks for introducing us to this place – I’ll be taking visitors there.” “Thoroughly enjoyed the Sky Garden – breakfast was really tasty – views spectacular, and all with such lovely company. – I would do it all again in a heartbeat” “A simply wonderful start to the day – seriously enjoyed my pancakes.” “A lovely visit.” “Such a great day.” “I’ll definitely be back.”
Many thanks to Desi, as ever, for organising us so well and giving us such a memorable morning out!
Thursday 28th March – Côte Brasserie, Hampstead High Street
What better way to celebrate the arrival of Spring, than to enjoy a French dinner, while catching up with each other. We enjoyed a variety of dishes, and some even had three courses: Whitebait, Beef Bourguignon, Sea Bass, and Poulet with Sauce Diane; Ice-cream, Strawberry & Elderflower Créme Brûlée, and chocolate eggs. All washed down with a bottle of Red, White and Rosé!
Thursday 25th January 2024 – Vijay South Indian Restaurant, Willesden Lane
Our dining club coincided with Burns’ Night, which is all about being with friends, so this was an “East meets West” evening, when 15 of us enjoyed a delicious array of South Indian dishes. Desi made it an extra special evening by compiling a Scottish quiz for us to do while waiting for the food to arrive, and then after our exotic dinner, she magicked-up a wee dram of a Highland liqueur for those partaking and some scrumptious handmade Scottish berry chocolates! An unusual combination, but thanks to the lovely understanding staff at Vijay, it was extremely enjoyable – suffice to say “May your days be free from sorrow, and your friends be ever near.”
Thursday 23 November – Pizza Pilgrims, Lonsdale Road
For our last dinner of 2023, we had fun at Pizza Pilgrims, the new Neopolitan pizzeria on Lonsdale Road where we were well looked-after by the friendly staff. Catherine and Frances kicked off the evening by treating us all to the unusual tasty Crispy Spaghetti Balls; we then got Christmas under way by pulling our charity eco-crackers, before enjoying a colourful, delicious mix of pizzas. And the evening finished with more wine, Tiramisu and their amazingly yummy Nutella Pizza Ring with Ice-cream. We are all so grateful to Desi for organising us so well throughout the year and for her generous gift of wine and crackers. Looking forward to some more exciting meals in 2024!
Thursday 28 September – Canaletes, Willesden Lane
At this popular local eaterie, it was a fun last-of-the-summer evening. We enjoyed an array of colourful, delicious dishes, which included Calamares, Garlic Prawns, Chorizo, Chickpeas, Garlic Chicken, Paellas, and the most popular dish ordered: Tortilla; accompanied by wine and a jug of Sangria. And the evening ended with a Spanish dessert, coffees and Lemon Turkish Delight.
Thursday 27 July – The Ivy Café, St John’s Wood High Street
With so many members saying “I love The Ivy”, it was inevitable we’d end up here some time; and with some away/busy, it gave us the opportunity to book the maximum number allowed. Roll on The Ivy experience … lovely décor, the restaurant was buzzing, we were well looked after by two nice young men, so we soaked in the ambiance and enjoyed a variety of delicious dishes – including the divine Cheese Soufflé and Chocolate Caramel Truffles – what a treat!
Thursday 25 May – Café Laville, Maida Vale
Members, looking radiant in summer-ish attire, enjoyed an ‘Italian evening’ at this light and airy venue, right on the Regent’s Canal; exchanging waves and cheering with passing canal boats. Dishes included pizzas, king prawn, crab, squid and meat pastas, and the evening finished with coffees, tiramisu and the magnificent millefoglie!
Thursday 23 March – Zin, Kensal Rise
Another good turnout for this newly opened restaurant in Kensal Rise. We enjoyed a tasty mixture of modern Moroccan food (and cocktails!), and despite a powercut which meant a couple of dishes suffered, we were very well looked after. Candles immediately appeared everywhere, creating a warm ambiance, and we finished with an Easter treat of chocolate eggs. Thanks again Desi, for organising another lovely evening!
Thursday 26 January – SUDO, Queen’s Park
Sixteen of us enjoyed a delicious Malaysian meal at SUDO, choosing a wide variety of dishes although not all braving the very hot and spicy chilli options! Many thanks to Desi for organising such a lovely evening.
Thursday 24 November – Spice 6, Station Parade
There was quite a Christmassy-party vibe to the evening as a record 18 members enjoyed a wide variety of curries and delicacies at Spice 6. Many thanks to Desi for organising, having taken over from Rebecca as Dining Club rep. And many thanks for Rebecca for organising so many memorable meals in the past months and years!
Thursday 27 September – Ravel’s Bistro, Fleet Road NW3
Rebecca excelled herself again, finding a perfect venue for dining club in Ravel’s Bistro, where twelve of us were treated to some truly delicious french cuisine. A good time was had by all!
Thursday 4 August – Crocker’s Folly, St John’s Wood
A record sixteen members enjoyed a delicious Lebanese meal at Crocker’s Folly, surrounded by marble and chandeliers!
Wednesday 18th May – Spasso, Walm Lane
Thirteen of us enjoyed a wonderful evening at Spasso – highly recommended!
Thursday 31 March – Dhaba@49 on Chippenham Road
We had a wonderful evening at Dhaba@49 and everyone enjoyed a wide range of Indian dishes, some familiar and some new!
Previously visited: Morso, British Fish & Chips, Tapas, Greek, Brazilian, Eritrean, Vietnamese, Persian, Polish, South Indian, Thai, Tunisian, Lebanese, Chinese, Spanish, Mexican, Afghani, Puglian.
