Restaurants

There’s not much point turning up after 12.30pm if you want to partake of the lunch served at the back of this bijou culinary bookshop. All six small tin tables in the bright, glass-covered back room will be taken, and the daily quota of food already allotted. That’s because Books for Cooks is such a hit with Notting Hill’s army of domestic goddesses. The set menu of three dishes – all made using recipes from the shop’s cookery books – isn’t ground-breaking, but does supply imaginatively selected tasters of dishes you can try at home. On our visit, that meant a spread of stuffed peppers, thai fish cakes and a selection of gorgeous cakes. The four cakes, including a classic blackberry tart and a lovely, rich yoghurt cake with walnuts, was worth going for alone. What’s more, it’s very good value: we racked up only £13 for two, including excellent coffees. A modest selection of quality wine is available, but this isn’t a place to tarry. And you can’t book – another reason to arrive early. Regular cookery classes are held upstairs in the demonstration room.

Time Out Eating & Drinking Guide 2008