Chef Adam Byatt Shares His Little Black Book
Let’s start at the top, Adam. What are your three favourite restaurants in London right now?
Plates is up there. It’s an exceptional, ground-breaking restaurant doing something that no one else is doing. I also love Perilla. Ben Marks has a way with food and style of food like no one else. He has an incredible foundation, having worked with the likes of Phil Howard, so he understands cookery. His food is just unique – I’m excited to be going there on Friday. I also have to shout out Wildflowers in Newson's Yard, which is headed up by ex-Trinity chef Aaron Potter. It’s brilliant.
Where do you go for a special-occasion dinner?
It would be very hard not to go to The Ritz, but I’d love to go to Ikoyi.
What’s your go-to spot for something casual with friends?
Juliet’s Quality Food is perfect for brunch, with amazing coffee and the best champurrado ever. These guys feed you, make you feel cool and send you packing. Love it every time. Also, Peckham Bazaar – chef-owner John Gionleka has been at the stove forever and it shows. The hospitality is purist local and the cooking true to John’s heritage. It proves that first-class hospitality doesn’t have to come with finery and pomp. This place is dear to me and long may it continue.
Is there a hidden gem we should all know about?
There is a little café just off Northcote Road called Tierra Verde – no one knows about it. It’s fantastic, and I go for a soup and cheese on toast.
Where do you go for coffee?
I’m going to say Blank Street because my daughter goes mad for it. To be honest I don’t really drink much coffee – one at home does it for me.
And for a stronger drink?
The best cocktail spot is The Donovan Bar at Brown’s – they serve the best drinks in London. I don’t care what anyone says. The Connaught Bar? Where’s that? I don’t really go to many pubs, but if I do it has to be the Prince of Wales in Clapham. It’s a proper boozer. That said, I also like The Nightingale near Wandsworth Common.
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Do you have a favourite food market?
Yeah, Maltby Street Market is fantastic. There are lots of shops and St John has a big presence. The hams, the cheeses – all epic. Also, Next door to Tierra Verde, there’s a little deli where I buy loads of stuff from. Otherwise, the deli counter at Moen’s Butchers is pretty hard to beat.
How do you spend a day off?
Fishing.
Where do you go for a long walk?
Wandsworth Park, which is very special to my me and my wife. We spent a lot of time there before we had kids and you can see my new restaurant, Brasserie Constance, from the top. We’re very lucky in south London to have spaces like that. I also like to go for runs that are long, onerous and hard – completely cleansing to a point where I wash away everything that’s clogging my mind.
Talk to us about menswear brands…
Fursac is up there – I’m a big fan of those guys. I recently picked up a few pieces from NN.07, who are doing some great things. I also love Maharishi, but I’m too old for that now. If I’m going fishing, I like Fera for outdoor gear, and if I’m running, I’m in SaySky or Salomon trainers.
What’s your off-duty uniform?
It sounds a bit crackers, but I love M&S, especially for trousers. They’re doing good gear right now. Don’t knock it! You’ll usually see me in a sweater and a nice pair of trousers, and I never go anywhere without my Golden Goose trainers.
Are you a watch guy?
I wear Garmin 90% of the time, though I bring out the Rolex my wife bought me for special occasions. I reckon my dream watch would be a baby blue Datejust Rolex in 24mm.
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Where do you get your hair cut?
I have a wonderful lady called Charlotte Cave in Clapham who’s been my hairdresser for the last decade. She’s a great friend, a mentor and a bit of a style guru – she makes sure I’m on point when it matters.
Do you have a signature fragrance?
Most of the time I wear ‘Ink’ by Perfumer H. They also do one called Dandelion, which I like to wear during the day.
Finally, Adam, tell us about your own new restaurant…
That would be Brasserie Constance. Fulham approached me over two years ago to ask if I’d put a restaurant in the new development at Fulham Pier. There’s a ton of stuff going on there: hotel, members club, event spaces etc. It’s one of the most awesome projects that’s been built in London within the last decade. I just thought, I can’t not be representing there. Fundamentally, Constance is a neighbourhood restaurant – because that’s my jam. Come on down and check it out.
Follow @AdamByatt on Instagram – and visit TrinityRestaurant.co.uk & BrasserieConstance.com
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