Attracting the glitterati since the 1970s, Julies is a romantic, well priced restaurant in (arguably) West London’s most desirable spot.

The Venue
Located at the top of Portland Road in Holland Park, Julies is in the pedestrianised arty shopping area known as Clarendon Cross, home to Cath Kidston and Fired Earth. Surrounded by some of West London’s most expensive residential property, the restaurant and bar is in a 100 year old building that’s a short walk from Holland Park tube station and close to Notting Hill and Kensington. Inside, the restaurant is divided into a honeycomb of small eating areas and alcoves, each with its own feel so you can match your surroundings to your mood. Whether you fancy the cream and green champagne bar or the Islamic carvings in the Gothic Room, there’s a romantic enclave for everyone. There’s also a conservatory, six private dining rooms and outdoor seating during the warmer summer months. If you consider yourself suitably A list, ask for Table 1G - hidden behind rather ugly red velvet drapes - which has played host to Madonna, Gwyneth Paltrow and Stella McCartney on their girlie nights out.

The Atmosphere
Romantic and unpretentious, the staff at Julies are keen to ensure you enjoy yourself in privacy, and serve you discreetly and warmly. With nearly forty years experience serving celebrities including Naomi Campbell, Kate Moss and U2 (not to mention renting the flat on their top floor to Ginger Spice Geri Halliwell for many years), Julies makes you feel special and coveted from the moment you arrive, and there’s a relaxed, chatty air in the bar before you make your way to the more private tables to eat.

The Food
There’s a modern European menu these days, having moved on rather dramatically from the time where you could eat for a fiver.

The starters include chilled cucumber soup and seared scallops. Good choices are the braised fennel with poached eggs and truffles for £12 - a sweet tasting combination that is balanced well with the savoury flavour of the truffles; and the grilled polenta with asparagus and parmesan - a really filling starter though its texture is light and fluffy.

The main courses boast everything from sea bass to foie gras and lobster. An excellent option is the cumin roasted rack of lamb, which comes with pumpkin mash and a pink grapefruit and honey sauce. The cumin and the sauce are sweet and tangy, an excellent accompaniment to the fresh tasting, cooked-to-perfection pink lamb, priced at £21. Coming in at just £18 is a delicious chicken breast, cooked with peppercorns and horseradish, served with pea pesto and ginger-scented green vegetables. The delicate flavouring is perfectly balanced, with the pesto and ginger acting as the perfect cooling balance to the warmer peppercorn and horseradish flavours. Side dishes such as chips with garlic mayonnaise, virgin olive oil mashed potatoes or steamed vegetables come in between £2.50 and £6.

Sunday lunchtimes are an institution here, with two courses priced at £22 and three at £26, but book early if you want to get in, this is the busiest time of the week.

The Drink
It’s worth stopping off in the bar before or after your meal for one of the club Champagne cocktails, with bellinis and kir royales priced at just £8-9. During your meal, you’re spoilt for choice by the wine list, which boasts thirty red wines, twenty whites, three pinks and six Champagnes. With bottles of wine from just £17 and Champagne from £30 (or by the glass at £4.50 and £7.50 respectively). The wine list prices are extremely favourable for the ritzy locale, and particularly worthy of mention is the rich and spicy organic Chilean red Novas Carmenere Cabernet Sauvignon, with heavy vanilla overtones, priced at £22 - the perfect accompaniment to some of the heavier meat dishes on offer.

The Last Word
Julies is a Holland Park institution, keeping the rich and famous happy since 1969 with exceptional food, a huge wine cellar and the discretion and attentiveness you would expect in this classy West London enclave. A must-try for anyone who considers themselves worthy of such good company.

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