Ed Sheeran's Restaurant Serves Just Two Main Dishes: A Critical Review
Celebrities often venture beyond their primary talents into industries like culinary arts, sparking curiosity about whether their establishments offer genuine quality or merely capitalise on fame. This week, I visited Ed Sheeran's restaurant, Bertie Blossoms, located on Portobello Road in London's Notting Hill, to assess if it's a worthwhile dining experience or a tourist trap.
The Menu: Limited Options and Price Discrepancies
Bertie Blossoms, which opened in September 2019, describes itself as an intimate restaurant blending Spanish flair with British comfort. The online menu lists a variety of tapas, such as meatballs, fried chicken, and hummus, priced between £10 and £16. However, upon arrival, I found that menu items and prices often differ from those advertised online. For instance, Bertie's Fried Chicken was listed at £10 online but charged at £14 in person.
Most strikingly, the restaurant specialises in only two main dishes: Ed's Favourite-Rigatoni a la Vodka for £20 and Flat Iron Steak with Chimichurri and fries for £30. This limited selection raises questions about the focus and value of the dining experience.
Service Experience: Friendly but Inconsistent
Booking a table proved challenging initially, as the restaurant was fully reserved weeks in advance. Yet, on the day of my visit, the venue was surprisingly empty, highlighting the importance of advance reservations to avoid disappointment. Upon entering, I was warmly greeted by staff at the bar and escorted to an upstairs table.
The service was generally attentive, with staff checking in regularly and being accommodating. However, the wait time for food was notable. My order of Ed's pasta took approximately 30 to 35 minutes to arrive, which seemed excessive given the dish's simplicity and the restaurant's low occupancy. To add to the confusion, my companion's meal followed 10 minutes later, disrupting the typical synchronised service expected in such settings.
Food Quality: A Mixed Bag of Flavours and Value
Starting with Ed's Favourite-Rigatoni a la Vodka, priced at £20, the dish was a letdown. The pasta, though fresh, was bland and overwhelmed by an excessive sauce that my fellow diner compared to Heinz tomato soup. The presentation was lacklustre, with sparse grated cheese and wilted basil, and the pasta became soggy, breaking apart easily. I rated this dish a four out of ten, deeming it overpriced and one of the worst restaurant meals I've encountered.
The Flat Iron Steak, costing £30, fared slightly better. Ordered medium rare, it arrived well done, but we chose not to complain due to the earlier delays. The steak was somewhat chewy and lacked flavour, with the chimichurri tasting predominantly of parsley. However, the portion size was generous, offering better value than the pasta. We enhanced the dish by dipping the steak into the pasta sauce, and a side tomato salad was praised as the menu's highlight, earning the meal a five out of ten overall.
Ambiance and Overall Verdict
The restaurant's exterior resembles a pub, while the interior feels homely yet hipster, with carpeted floors, eclectic decor, and a playlist featuring classics like Elton John's Bennie and the Jets—noticeably absent of Sheeran's own music. A secret room dedicated to Ed Sheeran memorabilia, including personal photos and guitars, may appeal to die-hard fans but comes across as somewhat eerie to others.
In conclusion, Bertie Blossoms offers a unique but flawed experience. While the service is friendly and the ambiance quirky, the limited menu, inconsistent food quality, and high prices make it a questionable choice for casual diners. It might suit devoted Ed Sheeran enthusiasts or those seeking a drink in a distinctive setting, but I would not return for a meal. Share your thoughts if you've visited this celebrity-owned spot in London.
