Review: Mrs Paisley's Lashings

Ben O' Norum
By Ben O' Norum Last edited 166 months ago
Review: Mrs Paisley's Lashings

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Photography by Ben Norum
Supper clubs and pop-up restaurants come in all guises, but none could be more extravagant, or indeed more English, than Mrs Paisley’s Lashings. For just two weeks, Jo Wood (ex-wife of Rolling Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood) and Arthur Potts-Dawson (of Acorn House in Kings Cross) have opened up Jo’s home, the stately Holmwood House in Kingston Vale, for the most decadent dinner parties imaginable.

They’re extravagant, yes, but sustainability and environmental awareness are key themes with almost all ingredients used being sourced locally, if not from Holmwood House’s own gardens. The garden provides a host of vegetables, freshly laid eggs, honey and herbs; and the “restaurant” bar even comes complete with a mini allotment providing all the herbs for cocktails at arm’s length.

With the event sponsored by Hendrick’s, the herby gin cocktails are a speciality and rival the food for centre stage. We were greeted with gin punch served in quaint tea cups, and loved the Holmwood twist on a mojito which incorporated lemon juice (yes, they have a lemon tree...), lemon verbena, mint and the house’s own honey to create what we likened to alcoholic lemon curd. It was served in a jam jar, too. The Londonist favourite, though, was without doubt the nameless concoction made with an unknown herb and some flowers picked especially from the garden in our honour. We’re not sure that they were edible but we haven’t keeled over yet.

The epic six course dinner included Vichyssoise soup, asparagus risotto, char-grilled salmon, a lemon tart and a cheese board with plenty more besides and there wasn’t a part of it which wasn’t cooked to perfection.

Whether it’s Arthur’s cooking, the Hendrick’s cocktails or the chance to snoop around the legendary party house that appeals, you’re going to have to be quick as it’s only on until 5th June.

The full meal and a cocktail costs £125 with all proceeds going to Jo’s charity to teach children about growing their own food. Visit www.mrspaisleyslashings.com for more details and to book.

Last Updated 28 May 2010