The leafy suburb of Wimbledon is mainly associated with tennis, but there’s so much more to this stunning area of London. Of course, come summer, the town hums with the unmistakable buzz of champagne, strawberries, and stylish tennis-going, but even outside Championship fortnight, Wimbledon attracts with its many charms.
The Common is a wild stretch of land in the middle of the city (and home to the Wombles, of course), and there’s exclusive Wimbledon Village, believed to date back to Iron Age times. Wimbledon town sits at the bottom of the hill and is served by Wimbledon tube, train and tram station (Tramlink).
It’s very well connected, like most of its inhabitants, and in fact was one of the earliest towns connected by railway, with the first station opening in 1838. There’s been plenty of activity around here for
centuries.
We’re heading down from the station towards the New Wimbledon Theatre – a grand Edwardian gem that opened in 1910. Our destination is the stylish Bar + Block restaurant. It’s a contemporary steakhouse bar and grill, and we’re here to sample the new lunch and early dinner menu.
Available from 11.30 am to 5 pm Monday to Friday, the menu offers a selection of mains for £10 and a second course (starter or dessert) for £3.50. There’s steak and frites, burgers, chicken, sandwiches, and salads to choose from, all at this incredibly great-value price.
In times when eating out in London seems to get more and more expensive, this is an offer not to be missed. You can also choose to upgrade your meal for a few extra pounds (I elevated my steak frites by changing rump for sirloin for an additional £4.50).
We decide (as lovers of Spanish food) to try a couple of tapas dishes to start. The gambas pil-pil with the plumpest of prawns sizzling in garlicky olive oil. And the jamón croquettes are rich and creamy – both very authentic dishes that made me yearn for Spain.
For mains we both enjoy perfectly cooked, flavourful steaks with sauces (mushroom and pepper), salads and fries. Very satisfying. And we finish off with summer delights in the form of a tasty Eton mess and a light and zesty semifredo.
We sampled a variety of dishes to offer a comprehensive overview of what’s available (always thinking of you, dear reader), and everything we had was delightful. The special menu adds another layer of appeal to the excellent food, lovely vibe, and stylish, comfortable setting. It’s some of the best value you’ll find in Wimbledon’s ever-bustling dining scene.
There are seven branches of Bar + Block in London and another 10 spread around the country. We visited the Wimbledon branch at 153-161 The Broadway.
The restaurant is commonly attached to a hotel – typically a Premier Inn (which it is in this case). Just in case you want to stay overnight.
Words by Sandy Cadiz-Smith
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