small but perfectly formed Honey & Co (AA Gill wearing the purple jumper)
I am so tempted NOT to write about last night’s dinner. In fact, I am even unsure as to why foodie friend disclosed the location of such a gem – bearing in mind the odds were high that I might tell you all about it. But she is a generous soul and I must be too. Because here I am about to tell you a HUGE secret.
But before I do, please do promise me that you won’t go. Honey & Co seats a mere 20 bottoms and the café-restaurant only hangs its OPEN sign for dinner Tuesday – Saturday. As it turns out, AA Gill and his not-so-blonde-anymore were sitting next to us so the likelihood is that all those Sunday Times readers will be fighting you for a seat in this perfect, Middle Eastern foodie heaven anytime soon…
all hands to mezze
Run by a husband-and-wife team (she is his honey!), this is – without doubt – where the best hummus with spiced lamb is served in London. He and I are potty about the lamb being just the right ratio to the hummus. Together with our friends, we grazed through a mezze of falafel with green tahini, marinated feta, homemade pickles and itzik salad. The bread, well, here my readers is a selection of bread I would gladly buy bigger jeans for…
Honey chatting to her guests
Now, I can dine easily with my husband but cooking with Him would, without doubt, rock our boat. But Itamar Srulovich and Sarit Packer make it look easy. They are both such smiley, outgoing characters and seem to enjoy checking that their handful of tables is enjoying their creations. The Israeli couple has spent the last eight years cooking in various London restaurants including Nopi and Ottolenghi but now, with their own place, they are really living their dream.
lamb/chickpea stew at Honey & Co
For main, two of us had the Tripoli style (beef and lamb) meatballs which had been baked in a spicy-sour tomato sauce (£12.50) while the boys had the potted lamb, chard and chickpea stew (£13.50). Plates were spotlessly clean before they were cleared.
chestnut cake with salted caramel sauce
I had been pre-warned about the deserts. The chestnut cake with salted caramel sauce was probably my favourite but – to be honest – we ordered one of each and wouldn’t mark any of them as less than outstanding.
So, there you have it. You can’t go and if you do, don’t order dessert, don’t tell your friends and don’t take my seat. I’m already planning a return visit – maybe for breakfast this time…
We ate the set dinner menu £29.50 per person which includes the mezze, a main and a dessert.
Honey & Co. 25a Warren St. W1 020 73886175
