The Oak is one of those establishments that you just don't expect to find in London. Part restaurant, part cocktail bar, it graces the inner walls of what must be one of the most beautiful buildings in Westbourne Park.

The Venue
Set on the corner of Westbourne Park Road and Shrewsbury Road in a relatively salubrious part of West London, The Oak may ostensibly appear to be a claustrophobic space, but upon sitting down in the ground floor restaurant your impression immediately shifts - the packed atmosphere adds rather than detracts from the experience. Upstairs - simply referred to as Upstairs at The Oak - the bar is exactly the opposite. Almost empty in comparison, its high ceilings are striking. Beautifully decorated, you are faced with a choice to sit at the bar, on comfortable couches or cushions, or at a table.

The Atmosphere
Upon entering, you’re greeted with a clutter of conversation, strong aromas wafting from the kitchen and efficient staff bustling around with encouraging effectiveness, appearing quickly at your table to take your order. Downstairs tends to be packed on most nights, even mid-week, whilst Upstairs at The Oak is a quieter, more refined affair.

The Food
The food at The Oak has an Italian skew and the prices certainly aren’t extortionate, although they’re not cheap. Fresh antipasti plates come in at just under a tenner and are ideal as a starter to share. Alternatively, there’s a choice of set starters (£6.25-£10) that include such dishes as beetroot gazpacho, chicken liver pate and lobster ravioli. Mains (£12-£18) comprise pasta and risotto dishes alongside options like lamb and scallops. However, a big selling point of the menu is the large choice of wood fired pizzas (£9-£13).

Upstairs at The Oak has a separate tapas menu (£2.75-£11) with flatbreads, olives, anchovies, squid and pate among some of the options if you don’t fancy a full meal in the downstairs restaurant.

The Drink
Drinks at Upstairs at The Oak are something special. Cocktails are priced at £7.50-£9.50 and cover the classics. Made with premium spirits, they certainly don’t skimp on quality. The apple martini (Ketel One Citroen, Cointreau, fresh lime, apple schnapps and apple juice) and pomegranate martini (Ketel One Citroen, lemon, grapefruit and pomegranate juice, homemade grenadine and honey syrup) are creatively mixed and well presented.

There is also an extensive wine list that is fairly priced (£15-£75) to cover most budgets and is well described if you’re unsure about what to order. The list is a little daunting to look at, however, and could do with also be sectioned into grape variety, region or style to make the selection easier.

The Last Word
The chilled out lounge area of Upstairs at The Oak and its accompanying boisterous restaurant are the ideal combination.

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