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Lucie Loves... Food // Beer can chicken sharing roast at the Gallery, West Hampstead

Finally! It’s the weekend. And what better to do than catch up with your best mates over some very tasty food and cocktails. One of my favourite things about being a photographer and blogger, who lives in London, is that there is ALWAYS somewhere new to go and eat.

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I received an email from a PR company whose updates I get regularly, and my eyes were drawn to The Gallery and their beer can chicken sharing roast. I got in touch immediately and asked if I could come and review it for my blog (read as: stuff my face with chicken.)

They said ‘yes’ and so off I popped to meet my mate, Antonia, to start planning our upcoming trip to Ireland to drive the Wild Atlantic Way.

Antonia has kindly offered to be my partner in crime and accompany me on this trip to the Emerald Isles. The reason for the trip to Ireland: I’d decided that I didn’t want to be in this country when the 9 May rolled around… My would-be 1st wedding anniversary. *GROAN* (I didn’t need a reminder that the happiest day of my life – so far – had all been for nothing. My divorce proceedings can officially commence once I’ve been married for a year… it’s a legal requirement in the UK and a bloody ball ache! )

So, I needed an escape plan, and this trip to Ireland was the perfect excuse!

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The Gallery is tucked down a very cute street, just around the corner from West Hampstead station. So very easy to get to via the tube or Overground. But be sure to check whether there aren’t any planned works that might interrupt your journey. I had a bit of a nightmare after my overground terminated at Willesden Junction and I had to get an Uber. Grrr.

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We ordered a pot of tea and a latte to start (coffee was very good! rich and hot) and then having gazed very briefly at the menu, we settled on a couple of starters to share – the cod cheeks and fennel and some little pea fritters. Gorgeous!

Obviously, we went straight for the whole beer can chicken sharing roast, which is suitable for 2-3 people to share. It’s £28.50 - so works out pretty reasonable, especially when you look at the average price of a Sunday roast in London. And this was an excellent roast.

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The vegetables were cooked beautifully. The chicken was succulent and rubbed to within an inch of its life in a very flavoursome seasoning. In the end, there was actually almost too much food for the two of us – a third person would have finished it off nicely!

For dessert we ordered the fried bananas and ice cream. So flipping good!!! 

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I’d been to Graphic Bar in Soho before for a gin tasting event, but hadn’t yet ventured to any of the other bars under the ULG umbrella. Still on my list to try and, if possible, review are: The Alice House (Queen’s Park or West Hampstead), The Elgin, Ask For Janice, Coin Laundry and Heist Bank. So watch this space…

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The Gallery is like the naughty one out of the Urban Leisure Group. They have an incredible array of whisky and bourbon to choose from and also a a basement bar downstairs with boardgames and seating. There was actually two guys playing a game of Guess Who! 

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I’m actually thinking of hiring this space for my Divorce Party, which will hopefully be at the end of this year (Nov/Dec 2016) if *fingers crossed* all goes smoothly! Haha! 

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But I’ll be heading back to The Gallery before then. It’s definitely the kind of place that has a perfect chilled vibe to hang out with friends, drink really good cocktails (we went for a whisky sour and a negroni) and laugh until the small hours. Candles, ambient lighting, vinyl records, industrial chic and some amazing art work. Ticks all the boxes!

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Thank you to Kapranos PR for yet another fantastic review opportunity. It was a very pleasant way to spend a Sunday in London.

What else do I need to know about The Gallery?

Offering guests a quality, laid back dining and drinking experience, throughout the day and evening, The Gallery is set over three levels - featuring balcony seating and a cozy basement bar. Dark oak furniture and deep leather armchairs are dotted around the space, whilst black and white photography and vibrant prints adorn the exposed brick walls.

Boasting a collection of 101 whiskies alongside more than 35 draught, bottled and can beers, The Gallery have hand selected their collection from around the world to cover all tastes and styles.

The Gallery’s very own bluesy basement bar hosts a series of interactive workshops, live music nights and jamming sessions throughout the year. The Gallery has also launched a tasting event called “Whisky 101”, exploring whisky, beer and food pairings in collaboration with Jura Whisky. It is designed to be an informative, interactive and entertaining tasting workshop which experiments with whisky, beer and food pairings.

From coffee, to relaxed lunches, to vinyl sessions over Sunday roasts, and private parties to intimate get-togethers, this rustic and relaxing venue offers delicious, inventive and hearty homemade food to accompany their exceptional collection of whisky, beers and wines. Full of local charm and rustic character The Gallery is the perfect place to enjoy tasty homemade food and a great collection of whisky, beers and wines.

Where is it?

The Gallery

190 Broadhurst Gardens

West Hampstead

London

NW6 3AY

020 7625 9184

info@ilovethegallery.com

Opening Times

  • Mon - Tues: 12 noon - 11:30pm
  • Weds 12 noon - 12am
  • Thurs - Fri: 12 noon - 12:30am
  • Sat 11:00am - 12:30am
  • Sun 11:00am - 11:30pm

Photography © Lucie Kerley