ULI London
Having been long-term residents in the Notting Hill area, my partner and I are always happy to sample a local restaurant’s fare. Given that Asian cuisine is a firm favourite in our camp as well, we snap up the opportunity to review this charming restaurant on Ladbroke Road, a mere stone’s throw away from our front door. ULI has been situated in this location for over two years now, but locals have been delighting in their wonderful pan-Asian offerings for 14 years or so at the prior location on All Saints Road.
Change is for the better
We definitely approve of the change though as these premises offer an alluring, charismatic terrace area, which is perfect for summer evenings in a quasi al-fresco/covered setting. The kindly hosts are well equipped for winter though with heaters and even blankets on offer should diners wish to have that extra cosy experience.
The interior décor has been carefully chosen in an effort to avoid the somewhat hackneyed approach of old school dragons against a red and black backdrop. Instead, you will find greenery & lantern lighting in the terrace, and amazing art further inside by Cody Choi, ballet dancer turned photographer extraordinaire, from super-cool urban art gallery Imitate Modern.
Divine cuisine
We start (as all good meals should) with some seasonal cocktails. A classic refreshing Mojito and ‘Rising Sun’, a blackberry and raspberry packed drink made with a good measure of sake, vodka and Prosecco. As for the food, it is simply divine, and seasoned favourites are on offer alongside a few more interesting choices from Thai, Malay and Singaporean cuisines. For starters we plump for the prawns, which are deliciously crisp, and the chicken gyoza which are equally as good.
Never deterred by volume of food, we bravely continue through to our next course; Chu Chee red curry salmon fillet with straw mushrooms, a supremely tasty and winning combination of flavours and textures, and a spicy stir-fried beef with peppers. Served with a big bowl of steaming egg fried rice and a beautifully light bottle of Vidaubanaise, Roubertas Cotes de Provence Rosé, it is all utterly delicious and silence descends while we get on with the serious matter of finishing every last morsel.
It would be remiss of us though, of course, if we don’t politely sample the deserts, and we can wholeheartedly recommend Uli’s mochi selection. A sweet, yet light end to a sumptuous meal.
The details
5 Ladbroke Road, W11 3PA, 020 3141 5878
Takeaway/delivery options are available too: www.ulilondon.com