Jenny Conlon spends an evening dining al fresco at L’ocale in Fulham, experiencing its Mediterranean-infused delights
A leafy terrace set a charming tone on arrival at the Italian eatery Locale, located in the Munster Village in Fulham. The intimate setting and warm welcome from the restaurant’s manager, Linn, put us instantly at ease and we knew we were in for a treat. Our visit was on one of the hottest days of the year so we dined al fresco on the picturesque terrace.
As we glanced over the menu, we sipped on cocktails – a classic Cosmopolitan and a Cuban Embargo, which consisted of dark rum shaken with Cointreau, lime and basil, and topped with ginger ale. For the meal, we started with the fresh salt and pepper squid – perfectly crispy – and the Burrata cheese, served with heritage tomatoes, basil dressing and carasau bread. Bellissimo!
For mains, we went for the crab and avocado salad with watercress, pomegranate and sweet chilli dressing – ideal for a warm day. The fresh flavours were delightful and the presentation was clever and creative. We also shared the Diavola baby chicken, which was marinated in chilli and Roman spices and served with tzatziki and lentils. The dish oozed with Mediterranean flavours and came in a generous portion. The sides of hand-cut chips and deep-fried zucchini, as recommend by Linn, were both delicious. To complete our al fresco dinner, we shared the 2014 Domaine
Saint Andrieu Coteaux Varois L’Oratoire Rosé wine from Provence, which had beautiful citrus notes. Feeling more savoury than sweet, we elected to share a selection of classic Italian cheeses served with homemade fruit bread – a lovely way to finish the meal.
A hidden local gem uncovered? Definitely.
