Today we’re heading to London’s iconic Battersea Power Station. Those striking towers are one of the most distinctive landmarks on London’s skyline. At its peak the power station supplied a fifth of London’s electricity – including to the Houses of Parliament and Buckingham Palace. From the 80s it’s been sitting derelict, waiting for redevelopment which eventually started in 2012. And now there’s a fabulous new part of London to visit.
Circus West Village has a buzzy collection of bars and restaurants set on the river. It’s right at the foot of the power station with great views. And we were heading for Fiume which means river in Italian. The glass-fronted, light-filled interior is sleek and stylish with a black granite bar for counter dining and an open kitchen. There’s also a lovely piazza-style terrace complete with lemon and olive trees and fragrant lavender.
What’s on the menu
Fiume serves up delightful Southern Italian dishes. We started off with luscious olives and lovely freshly made bread.
My eyes lit up when I spotted the vitello tonnato in the antipasti section. One of my absolutely favourite dishes ever – and this was a truly spectacular version and a generous portion too. Thinly sliced veal topped with a rich tuna sauce and baby pickled vegetables and mushrooms. Wow! I could go back there every week just for this dish.
These delightful little dumplings are the sage and pumpkin crocchette served with chilli jam.
On to the mains
The seafood and fish mixed grill was a delightful tower of prawns, squid, scallops and white fish on a bed of creamy mash and topped with crunchy tender stem broccoli.
I opted for a dish from the Primi section. The burrata tortelli was served with hazelnuts, Gran Padano and truffles. What a dish. Plump little parcels filled with the creamiest of cheese and with the richness of truffles running through. Definitely the winning pasta dish of the year.
Despite feeling rather replete we couldn’t resist the chance to try out the tiramisu. I do love a good tiramisu with its creaminess and coffee flavours. Delicious.
As we finished lunch night was beginning to fall and the power station starting to sparkle. It all looked so magical, especially with the twinkling Christmas tree. There’s still a a lot of development going on here and it’s going to be even more spectacular. And as it’s only a short bus ride from home I’m planning on many more trips to Battersea Power Station. Their new slogan is Bringing the Power back to Battersea. Love it. And love the new bits of London I’ve discovered in the last couple of weeks. There’s so much out there to explore in my beautiful home city.
Today’s price point
And finally.
Our meal for two as above came to £77.
Wine starts from £22.50 a bottle
Fiume is at Sopwith Way, Circus West Village, Battersea Power Station SW8.
