In an area overrun with chain restaurants, Moomba stands out from the crowd. An appetising menu, sophisticated décor and friendly staff are just some of the reasons why locals keep coming back for more.

The Venue
A short walk from Richmond train station, Moomba is not a place you’re likely to stumble upon by chance. But this isn’t a problem, because despite being open for less a year this little restaurant has developed quite a name for itself. Like the Putney arm with the same name, the lowly-lit, intimate spot is delightful. Elegant cream wallpaper, eye-catching light-fittings made of glass bubbles and large photos of Richmond in days gone by, contrast well against the brightly coloured striped cushioned seats. The purple glow from the small bar at the back of the narrow room draws your attention, where the staff are busy mixing up cocktails in front of a large display of spirits and liqueurs.

The Atmosphere
From the moment you step inside the staff make you feel welcome. Despite its classy appearance, the feel is anything but pretentious. In line with its name, which is Australian Aboriginal for “let’s get together and have fun”, the staff work hard to ensure your visit is enjoyable, attending to your table regularly without being disruptive. With its dim lighting and cosy tables, the setting is ideal for a special romantic meal for two, however the clientele is varied. From young professionals to large family groups, everyone is catered for as the staff rearrange furniture to accommodate all guests.

The Food
The extensive dinner menu of modern British cuisine with European influences is mouth-watering and, given the high-quality ingredients used, the prices are more than reasonable. For a starter, the home-smoked hot duck carpaccio with pickled cherries and port reduction is highly recommended (£6.75). The thinly sliced duck is rich, tender and smoked to perfection, while the cherries and sticky port glass add a subtle sweetness that doesn’t overpower the smoky duck flavour. Also, the deep-fried hen’s egg served on seared English asparagus with a lime butter sauce (£6.55) is intriguing, but a delightful choice. The egg’s batter is light and proves practically tasteless beside the intense flavor of the hen’s egg, which rushes out on to the just-cooked asparagus and mixes well with the light lime butter. For the main, the Romney Salt Marsh rack of lamb with a pistachio and herb crust, served on ratatouille (£14.50) is an explosion of rich flavours. With the tender, crusted lamb and tomato and garlic-infused courgette, peppers and aubergine ratatouille, the taste comes close to being too intense. In hindsight, a light red wine, as opposed to the heavy Argentinan Gran Reserve, would be the perfect accompaniment. Other highlights of the menu include beef wellington, served with garlic green beans and Madeira sauce (£18.50) and for dessert, lemon tart served with a tangy raspberry compote and the rich chocolate tart served with Cornish vanilla ice-cream are rich and high-quality (both £5.50).

The Drink
Moomba prides itself on its cocktails, of which it has a sizeable range. Priced between £6.35 and £6.50, or £4.35 for the non-alcoholic variations, the list includes the signature Moomba Kiss. This seriously sweet fizzy mix is not for the light-hearted, and is guaranteed to put even the serious sugar-addict in his or her place. The usual suspects such as the martini, mojito and cosmopolitan also feature. The wine selection is also of a decent size, with whites starting from £14 for a sauvignon blanc from Chile’s Casa La Joya to £26.50 for the most expensive drop. Reds also start at £14, with a merlot, also from Chile’s Casa La Joya. The range of beers and ciders is smaller but varied, nonetheless. Leffe Blonde, Sol and Tiger are all available in bottles.

The Last Word
With attentive service and flavoursome dishes you’d expect to pay twice the price for elsewhere, served up in an elegant yet relaxed setting, it’s difficult to find any flaws in Moomba. This is a place that deserves to have people queuing round the block.

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