There's a new neighbourhood hangout in West London, Canal, the latest venture from the team behind Crispin and Bistro Freddie, bringing bistro vibes and seasonal plates to a revamped spot on the Grand Union Canal.
It's located in Taxi House, which was the former home of the London Taxi Drivers' Association. The calming space has been revamped to include concrete columns, hammered glass, and hand-chiselled wood, softened with walnut tones and plush brown seating. The real draw, though, is the sun-soaked, south-facing terrace with ample space to sprawl by the water.
The kitchen is headed up by Adrian Hernandez Farina (ex-Humo, ASKA, The French Laundry), whose menu champions British and European ingredients. Expect dishes like crab doughnuts, ricotta tortelli with lemon and parmesan, and monkfish with datterini tomatoes and capers, accompanied by sharing plates such as whole brill or a 1kg ex-dairy ribeye.
Cocktails on tap come courtesy of A Bar with Shapes for a Name (No.35 on the World's 50 Best Bars list), with the likes of brown butter old fashioneds and rhubarb gimlets. The wine list keeps things exciting with a mix of classic European bottles and a few New World selections.
DJs, including Ruby Francis and Alena Arpels, spin tracks as the sun goes down, and even the staff uniforms, designed by Nicholas Daley, are a vibe.