12th June 2013

I have taken a while to write this post, and that’s because my time recently has been taken up by my least favourite activity – moving house.

Now that I am resettled, I can get back to business!

One of my lovely friends, A, recently got engaged.  J sent an email round to all the girls – she had decided to organise a surprise celebration dinner for her.

The restaurant she chose is perfect for special occasions, because you can book the private room downstairs.  This room is tucked away, with the door disguised as a book shelf (quirky), and you can play your own music using the iPod dock provided.

It’s called 22 North Street, and is located at No. 22 North Street (surprisingly), Clapham Old Town.  The website is here.

Some of the girls arrived early to decorate the room – A was arriving later, under the impression she was going to the cinema.  The décor downstairs is old school kitsch, so heart shaped balloons, confetti and bunting fitted in nicely!

When we heard A was near, we got the bubbly and gifts at the ready…

And after we’d all kissed and hugged hello – it was time to get down to the food.  There is a set menu offered for private dining, which changes regularly.  They’ll also do other set meals (like Roast, or Chateaubriand!) which you can ring up and ask about.

Here’s a peek at our set menu.

I went for pate (I can’t ever resist pate) and the red snapper tacos.  I also took photos of the other choices that were made – so read onnnnn (said in the voice of Marcel the Shell).

The chutney was perfect with the rich meatiness of the pate.

The goats’ cheese starter looked like this –

Moving on to mains…

The tacos were the bit I was most excited for, and they didn’t disappoint.  The fish was fresh and delicately flavoured, and the taco itself was crispy but not greasy.  I would have preferred more pineapple-chilli salsa to be provided, as it ran out quite quickly (too yummy!) and then the dish lacked a little moisture.  But overall, still great.

The conversation was flowing; we pulled our mini crackers and popped the party poppers…

The lamb burger with halloumi was a popular choice.  I love halloumi – it’s so pleasantly salty. 

My food envy was for the duck leg confit, which came with lentils and a cherry sauce.  Cherry goes really well with duck – it also works as a glaze.

And while I usually don’t like ordering chicken in restaurants, as I tend to think it’s something you can do quite easily at home – the chicken breast looked very appetising indeed!

None of us could manage pudding, which was a shame.  The cheese board especially was beckoning.  However, we did manage to chat and drink until the staff needed to go home.

I tucked this feather into A’s card – it’s from a 1950’s hat and I bought it at a vintage shop in Angel.  Something old, and something blue!  I thought it would be pretty tucked into her garter, or just kept in a wedding scrapbook.

It was a great evening – congratulations again A!