What do you get when a top hospitality trio team up with one of London’s best butchers?
Dockley Road, a new restaurant on said road in Bermondsey, opened very quietly at the end of October. Given the pedigree of the team involved, it’s unlikely to stay quiet for long however. The restaurant, which sits at the bottom of a new build block of apartments by Spa Terminus, was founded by Emily Chia (St. John, Joe Beef and many more); Klaudia Weisz (former AGM at Rochelle Canteen); Alex Keys (St. John, Rochelle Canteen and co-owner of Farmer Tom Jones in Spa); and Tom Jones (of Farmer Tom Jones fame). Klaudia and Emily are the GM and head chef respectively. The interiors are super cute, with lovely retro wood panelling, an open kitchen, vintage chairs and crockery, and loads of natural light from the huge windows, which near enough create one long glass wall.
Eat This
Being next to Spa Terminus, Dockley Road has an enviable amount of incredible food producers to choose from, right on its doorstep. There’s Neal’s Yard Dairy, Natoora, Kernel Brewery, Gimlet Drinks, as well as Farmer Tom Jones of course, and you can expect many of them to make an appearance on the Dockley Road menu.
On a recent Sunday lunchtime visit, the day’s menu featured Farmer Tom Jones Italian sausage for instance, as well as a beef mince and Kernel stout hot pot. These were billed as more main course size, so we actually left these unordered and went for the entirety of the menu of small(er) plates instead. Dishes with must-order billing include the incredible cacio e pepe gratin dauphinoise, the panisse with mayo, grilled cabbage with yeast dressing, and the ‘banh mi’ terrine – although be warned the latter is a full-on rich flavour bomb so maybe better if you can share it with more than two people.
We were sad to have missed a smoked eel risotto which we had seen on the previous day’s menu but we made do with a fruits de mer smorgasbord – an open sandwich topped with smoked eel, haddock, mussels, potato salad and beetroot. We also enjoyed the crab raviolo in green curry sauce, and discovered pyrizhok for the first time, a Ukrainian bread stuffed with squash and potato.
In truth, we slightly over ordered so didn’t have room for a proper dessert – but did manage a small scoop of refreshing sorrel sorbet.
Drink This
There’s a great cocktail list designed by renowned bartender Nick Strangeaway, and a strong wine list – we enjoyed the Viliana 1905 orange wine from Crete. There’s also British cider from Oliver’s Fine Cider, and Townsend apple juices if you’re off the sauce.
Why Go
Dockley Road is an ideal neighbourhood restaurant, bought to life by a team who have a clear passion for food and hospitality. It’s a great addition to Spa Terminus and this corner of south east London in general.
Key Information
Address | 1 Dockley Road, London, SE16 3AF
For more information | dockleyroad.co.uk
