Strakers

Butter than expected

Where? Westbourne Park, 91 Golborne Rd, London W10 5NL
How much? ££-£££
What? Seasonal ingredients, mixed cuisine

Welcome back to episode 90 of all things The Amateur Archive: this is a review of Strakers, by Thomas Straker. Between the vibrant streets of Westbourne Park and Ladbroke Grove lies the culinary debut of Thomas Straker – his very own restaurant. For those who don’t know Thomas Straker, let me introduce you; an internet sensation, who took TikTok by a storm with perfect quenelles and rich recipes. It’s safe to say that fans were well and truly buttered up!

His charming and cosy restaurant is just as wonderful. It’s a small, lively place that is nearly impossible to book! The atmosphere is welcoming and comfortable, with gentle lighting and tasteful decor. Delectable dishes fill the air, as doughy discs fly from table to table and drooling customers await in anticipation. The service is outstanding, with friendly and attentive staff always ready to assist. It’s no surprise that getting a reservation here feels like winning the lottery – a testament to the restaurant’s excellent reputation and top-notch service!

The Food

Flatbread, stracciatella, nettles, garlic, courgette – £14

I must admit, that after seeing countless butter smothered saucers taking over my social media feed, I felt inclined to try the infamous Straker flatbreads out for myself. I was not disappointed. They say that all good things come in small packages, and this is certainly the case.

Despite its hearty components, this fluffy flatbread is surprisingly light. The nettles and garlic pair perfectly, a rich topping to balance out the creamy ooze of the stracciatella cheese. Rest be assured, you’ll be savouring every mouthful, impatiently waiting on the next dish to arrive after devouring every last crumb! 8.7/10

Girolle, smoked ricotta, agnolotti – £26

This dish is so creamy, it’s like indulging in a delicious pasta shaped clouds. The rich sauce cloaks the ricotta-filled parcels like a warm buttery hug. And oh boy, the mushrooms! They were so tender and fresh, like little flavour bombs melting in your mouth. My only criticism is the agnolotti; they were a tad on the large side, so the ricotta stuffing started to overpower the dish after a few bites. Still, I’d give it a solid 7.2/10. Because, you know, butter and pasta make everything better!

Potato galettes, lemon mayo, thyme – £9

I had a minor dilemma when faced with this dish. It was like déjà vu, but in a bad way. You see, I had a not-so-great encounter with a similar one in Zephyr a few weeks back. So, I was contemplating whether to take the risk and give it another shot. After careful deliberation, my fellow foodie convinced me and I’m so glad she did!

These crisp little cubes were delicate and flaky, perfectly golden brown on the outside. The centre was just as dreamy, melting in your mouth like butter on a hot pan! But the real showstopper was the lemon mayo – a surprising twist that danced harmoniously with the dish. I have to admit, I had my doubts at first, but these little galettes defied all odds and blew my taste buds away. I can already feel my mouth watering for my next order! 8.7/10

Green leaf salad, house dressing – £7

A perfectly light and refreshing dish to cleanse your palette between platefuls of pasta and potato. It’s crunchy, it’s clean, it’s incredibly fresh – what more could you want from a salad! 8.6/10

For more London food finds, please make sure to subscribe to my blog and take a moment to visit my social media accounts linked below. Thank you for taking the time to read and engage with my content. Your support is greatly appreciated!