Chef Maz Demir has created a menu using the finest ingredients and serves many of his dishes in a style, encouraging guests to share throughout the meal. Demir combines the best of Turkish cuisine and features authentic recipes passed down from his mother, making for a truly authentic experience. Some hot picks from the menu; Sujuk Charcoal grilled spicy beef sausage with honey, herb yoghurt. Hummus, Purred Chickpeas with Tahini, garlic Lemon and Sumar. Wrapped Beyti, seasoned minced lamb grilled, wrapped in lavash bread and toasted, served with hung yoghurt and Halep sauce.

My Skewd Kitchen experience

Skewd Kitchen has perfectly balanced a touch of authentic Turkish with the modern theme. The restaurant is much bigger than you think, a long bar with a corner clay bread oven and the chef kneading and rolling dough. At the back of the restaurant is an open plan glass kitchen, where guests can watch in delight as the Chef cooks up a Turkish banquet. The Turkish lanterns on the wall add to the authentic Turkish look and feel. I have a total love of Turkish food; it was flavoursome, plentiful and beautifully presented. Turkish dining is very social in nature and can be enjoyed with a group of family and friends or in an intimate setting with the special one you love. Set in Cockfosters it’s a perfect location for the local resident or guest excited to be treated with the best Turkish dining experience, courtesy of superstar Chef Maz Demir.

Upon arrival I walked through the doors and was greeted with smiles from the staff, vibrancy and an instant warm and friendly atmosphere. Stylish and contemporary eluding the sense of the Turkish charm. Skewd Kitchen provides a relaxed yet upbeat atmosphere so would be an ideal place for group dining at lunchtime or dinner, for a date night or simply dining with friends. Once seated the host assisted us with the choices on the menu, and explained them all in detail, my mouth was watering as they all sounded delicious. It was my birthday so they brought out glasses of perfectly chilled prosecco. We decided to pick our starters and mains, our choices were; Puréed chickpeas with tahini, garlic, lemon and sumac served with warm bread melted in your mouth. We were served with their signature puff bread, the accompanied butter that was so tasty. Cacik cucumber mint, hint of garlic in creamy strained yoghurt.

So yummy; Selection of Mezzes, a selection of five mezzes recommended by the head chef, a beautiful fusion of flavours and colours. Kisir Salad Bulgur wheat, spring onions, tomato purée, and celery mixed herbs and pomegranate molasses, delicate and tasty. Shakshuka Bertha roasted eggplants, shallots, and Kapia peppers tossed in tomato sauce, my taste buds were excited. Hot Mezze; Pachanga Filo pastry, filled with mixed bell peppers, Portobello mushrooms, kashar cheese, cured fine beef and parsley, on roasted red pepper sauce, beautiful textures. Hellim, Charcoal grilled Cypriot cheese with Bertha roasted plum tomatoes, I am hooked. Pan-Seared Scallops served with coconut chips mash and Malibu butter, melted in our mouth so delicious. Mains from the Hot Coal Productions; Vegetarian Skewer seasonal combination of vegetables drizzled with pomegranate molasses, salgam, olive oil and sumac, out of this world. Mixed Kebab Lamb shish, chicken shish, adana shish, lamb chop, lamb ribs, plentiful and delicious. The Chef also sent out their special salmon, monkfish, prawns and octopus with fennel, pomegranate, Sumac salad and Raki Fermented Grapes and Pumpkin Gratin, Honey Pumpkin, feta, coal-fried shallots, roasted almonds and Turkish baharat, this was food Heaven. The side choice was traditional Pilav and Bulgar rice, the menu choices took our taste buds on a journey to food Heaven, it was tasty, beautifully presented and in abundance. The host brought out a selection of yummy desserts, including a Turkish signature Baklava and a total surprise, a Happy Birthday plate with a sparkler candle, I couldn’t imagine spending my Birthday anywhere else.

Conclusion

Skewd Kitchen is top of my list for a truly Turkish yet modern and contemporary experience. Maz Demir uses the best of traditional and contemporary cooking techniques. Many of the dishes are prepared using the authentic method found in Turkey, on a large open pit charcoal (Mangal) fire. The restaurant over delivered with impeccable service! Their banquet-style food offering is tasty and artistically presented a fantastic selection of hot and cold mezze. Skewd Kitchen has a huge selection of traditional Turkish dishes, charcoal-cooked meats and deliciously prepared vegetarian options. Skewd Kitchen offers Gluten free options and a take on the traditional Sunday Roast. Before of after dinner, guests can head to the bar, which serves a traditional alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, selection of Turkish, white, red and rose and sparkling wines and Champagne. A selection of soft drinks along with freshly squeezed juices, Turkish teas and coffees. Skewd Kitchen is the perfect place for lunch, cocktails and dinner. The perfect escape for couples, friends, family and travellers to experience a restaurant authentic and contemporary in character. The menu is tasty, full or flavour, beautifully presented and plentiful in nature. I have nothing but praise for this restaurant, book now without delay.

W: Skewd Kitchen

A: Address: 12 Cockfosters Parade, Barnet EN4 0BX
T:  020 8449 7771

A stone’s throw from Wimbledon Station and a short drive from where the world-renowned tennis tournament takes place, 601 Queens Road is the perfect summer evening spot. Light floods the beautifully designed space, a tranquil open rooftop venue prettily adorned with white flowers and miniature orange trees.

The 360° design and floor to ceiling windows make for a sunlit bright and airy space with panoramic views of Wimbledon. The décor is grand but modern with semi-circle blue and white bar stools, perfectly complimenting the circular bar stationed in the centre of the room.

Darwin & Wallace Story

A unique space which sounds like a private address, stylish; impressive all-day dining; fabulous drinks from morning to night fall-Darwin and Wallace create spaces that feel home-from-home, genius! Darwin & Wallace was fed up with mediocre so decided to turn unwanted and underperforming sites into inviting talked about local bars. Darwin & Wallace ethos takes inspiration from the local areas so each bar is unique and distinct from each other. A taste of the bars offered by the entrepreneurs; No 11 Pimlico Road, No 1 Duke Street, No 29 Power Station West and 601 Queens Road. Let’s get to the good part! The food is cooked from scratch using only carefully sourced ingredients. The drinks whether for the start of your day or to unwind in the evening are sourced to ensure complete customer satisfaction.

A bar that looks after the planet

Darwin & Wallace are members of the Sustainable Restaurant Association and won an award for Best Sustainable Pub Group. They have created a garden in No 32 where they keep bees and experiment with crops. They only use GM-Free rapeseed oil in the kitchens, which is wait for it! Converted to Bio Fuel-what a great example!

601 Queens Road Food and Drink

The food and drinks menu is available from breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner and Sunday roast offering mouth-watering dishes such as breakfast sourdough bruschetta with roast tomatoes, spinach, avocado and crispy bacon, they also provide menu choices for vegans and vegetarians. If you have a sweet tooth the banana and ricotta pancakes with coconut yoghurt are heavenly. They offer small and sharing plates that are perfect for couples, groups of friends or business brainstorming moments. The cocktail menu offers the classic cocktail or something memorable to put this bar on your list of favourites. Some hot picks on the menu Grilled Buttermilk Chicken Skewers with pickled Jalapeno; House Made Kimchi Fried Rice, poached egg, short grain brown rice, garden peas, carrot, courgette, spring onion and coriander, 25p donated to Honeypot Children’s Charity – a beautiful way to give back.

We were invited to try the latest cocktail collaboration between J&B Rare and Darwin and Wallace. The Raspberry Sour is a twist on a classic serve: The Raspberry Sour. A zesty, fruity cocktail underpinned by the smooth character of J&B Rare.

601 Queen’s Road was where this seasonal serve made its debut. Available from from 1st – 14th July, it proved the perfect partner for the Wimbledon Tennis Championships.

We had the pleasure of trying this cocktail to accompany our meal. The Raspberry Sour made for a great summer aperitif, delicious with a delicate texture, a quintessentially British mixture of soft red fruit and Scotch whisky.

J&B Rare is mixed with Somerset Pomona from the Somerset Brandy Company. Distilled on Burrow Hill farm by the Temperley family, the Somerset Pomona is full bodied with a robust apple and smooth butterscotch finish, complementing J&B Rare’s delicately balanced taste. Fresh raspberries and passion fruit are blended in to give bright notes, and the drink is topped with fresh lemonade and finished with aquafaba foam.

The Raspberry Sour is now available across all Darwin & Wallace locations.

My 601 Queens Road Experience

Stepping into 601 Queens Road transported us to a social sanctuary.

601 Queens Road felt like a home from home providing a vibrant yet relaxed atmosphere, so would be an ideal place for remote working, intimate or group dining for breakfast, brunch lunch or dinner.

The venue has a private dining room with wide screen television where your group can eat, drink and be entertained. The lounge offers a space for more intimate meets with tables, chairs and comfy sofas, ideal for relaxing and dining with your favourite people.

The outside terrace is beautifully decorated with creeping white flowers encircling metal beams. Lanterns, plant pots, orange trees and white metal and wood themed furniture on the summer inspired terrace. The raised open plan kitchen with cream shutters gives a peek into the chef’s Kingdom.

The fully stocked bar housed all the ingredients required to create inspired liquid masterpieces.

Once seated the host assisted us with the menu choices. The host recommended cocktails based on our preferences our choices were, Prims in keeping with the summer Wimbledon season and location, refreshing and bursting with flavour, Passion Fruit Martini and Prosecute creating the best summer vibe.

We picked our main courses ordering; house club sandwich, grilled marinated free range chicken, smoked bacon, avocado, roasted tomatoes basil mayo and sourdough toast, BBQ chicken wings and thighs, spring onion and coriander our side was skin on fries, it was so good I wanted to shake the chef’s hand and congratulate him!

The host circulated the menu for our favourite part of the experience, the dessert choice we had to try summer berry, apple crumble and vanilla ice cream. Every bite was divine.

Conclusion

601 Queens Road will definitely be one of my go to places for delicious food, socialising and cocktails. The venue has a homely feel and is a great place for friends and family to kick back eat, drink and engage in great conversation.

601 Queens Road offers impeccable service and a mouth-watering menu selection with dishes to suit all. The perfect end to a busy week sipping on a Martini, or for a relaxed Sunday with loved ones for their take on a traditional British Sunday roast.

Be served whilst seated or head over to the bar to try their vibrant cocktail menu. 601 Queens Road should be definitely on you list of places to visit when in Wimbledon

It’s perfect to experience a trendy cool modern gastro pub like no other with its diverse offering, full or flavour and nicely presented.

Whether carnivore, vegetarian, vegan or a fish lover, your experience will be definitely game, set and match!

W: 601 Queens Road

A: 601 Queen’s Rd, Centre Court Shopping Centre, No 4 Queen’s Road, Wimbledon, SW19 8YA