London - The Abingdon
Summer 2009
Frank's view 
A first class 'local'
You’re in or around High St Ken, you have an hour to kill and it’s lunchtime.
You’re going to a show or gig at Earls Court and fancy an early supper.
Where do you go?
The Abingdon is a ‘local’, which has very cleverly reinvented itself as a gastro-pub. The ambience is great with large comfy sofas in the bar and a more formal, tabled dining room at the rear. On the day we went the sun was shining so we sat outside on the street and watched the wealthy people of Abingdon Road and Abingdon Villas go about their daily chores.
The two course lunchtime menu du jour offers a choice of two starters (on this day, Beetroot gazpacho or Pickled herring in mustard seed dressing with beetroot carpaccio), and two mains (Pan fried fresh haddock fillet with sautéed new potatoes, French beans & mango salsa or Oven roasted quail with sautéed spinach & red wine jus) for £15.95.
The á la carte menu carried a good selection including Seared king scallops with broad bean purée, grilled courgettes, sorrel flower reduction & toasted almonds (£10.50). I opted for Seared goat cheese salad with fresh figs & honey praline (£7.85), whilst my accomplice stayed with the menu du jour.
My whole grilled sea bass with samphire & fennel salad, seasonal leaves & smoked fish sauce (£17.25) was excellent.
A good selection of fairly priced wine by the glass is also available.
Perhaps not one to go out of your way to visit, but if you are in the area you’d be hard pressed to do much better.
The Abingdon
54 Abingdon Road
London W8
020 7937 3339
You’re going to a show or gig at Earls Court and fancy an early supper.
Where do you go?
The Abingdon is a ‘local’, which has very cleverly reinvented itself as a gastro-pub. The ambience is great with large comfy sofas in the bar and a more formal, tabled dining room at the rear. On the day we went the sun was shining so we sat outside on the street and watched the wealthy people of Abingdon Road and Abingdon Villas go about their daily chores.
The two course lunchtime menu du jour offers a choice of two starters (on this day, Beetroot gazpacho or Pickled herring in mustard seed dressing with beetroot carpaccio), and two mains (Pan fried fresh haddock fillet with sautéed new potatoes, French beans & mango salsa or Oven roasted quail with sautéed spinach & red wine jus) for £15.95.
The á la carte menu carried a good selection including Seared king scallops with broad bean purée, grilled courgettes, sorrel flower reduction & toasted almonds (£10.50). I opted for Seared goat cheese salad with fresh figs & honey praline (£7.85), whilst my accomplice stayed with the menu du jour.
My whole grilled sea bass with samphire & fennel salad, seasonal leaves & smoked fish sauce (£17.25) was excellent.
A good selection of fairly priced wine by the glass is also available.
Perhaps not one to go out of your way to visit, but if you are in the area you’d be hard pressed to do much better.
The Abingdon
54 Abingdon Road
London W8
020 7937 3339
Be Frank: agree or disagree? What do you think?
