Fernandez & Wells – London, England (9/10)
Feb 10th, 2009 by admin
Background:
I’ve been meaning to visit Fernandez & Wells ever since it opened. It’s so close to work and everyone I know (Eat Like A Girl says it’s one of her favourite places in London and recommends it particularly for wine and tasty nibbles after work) raves about how much they love it, but it’s still somehow taken me until now to walk 5 minutes from the office to pick up some lunch there!
First impressions:
I’ve walked past this tiny eaterie with its meaty legs of jamon hanging by the window many times, but wasn’t expecting just how pint-sized it was inside, though in a nice way. With just a few people waiting for their orders, I already couldn’t see past them to the back. There are a few stools to perch on if you decide to eat in, and I presume there are a few seats at the back as well because in the evenings, the place turns into a bar with selections of charcuterie and cheese to accompany your wine.
The counter looked extremely enticing, with delicious-looking fresh ciabatta buns and bocadillos (sandwiches made with traditional French stone-baked baguettes). Options included Chorizo Iberico (thin-sliced spicy cured sausage) with unpasteurised Manchego cheese (?4.80); Mortadella, Aioli, Salchichon Iberico, Rocket, Shaved Parmesan and Parma Ham (?5.00); Jambon ‘Le Noir de Bigorre’ (24 month cured French ham) with Plum Tomato (?4.50) and Mozzarella di Bufala with Rocket and Plum Tomato (?5.50). These can be grilled as well, hence the waiting people.
Also on offer were salads and Pasteis de Nata (my favourite!), while the two dailies – a stew and a soup – were written on a blackboard – both of which were offered to me for tasting by a very helpful gentleman. He recommended phoning in advance to find out what the dailies are before visiting them!
The verdict:
In the end, I decided to try the wild rabbit stew (?5.50 small, ?6.00 large) to take back to the office. Five minutes later, I was tucking into one of the best stews I’ve had in a long time – hearty and full of flavour, with large chunks of meat and carrot. It was certainly a generous helping and came with a slice of fresh bread. After just one mouthful, I was telling everyone about it on Twitter.
An instant favourite, if that makes sense! I look forward to making F&W my regular lunchtime haunt, and also to visiting the Beak Street branch around the corner for coffee and a Pasteis de Nata. If you haven’t been yet, make it your priority this week! See you there…
[UPDATE: March 2009 - There is a third but tiny branch that opened recently on St Annes Court between Dean Street and Wardour Street. You can get smaller sandwiches, snacks, pasteis de nata and coffee, but for the larger sandwiches, soups, stews and salads, you'll still have to go to Lexington Street].
The Fernandez & Wells set of photos can be viewed here.
10 – Perfection, 9.5 – Sensational, 9 – Outstanding, 8.5 – Superb,
8 – Excellent, 7.5 – Very Good, 7 - Good, 6.5 - Above Average, 6 – Average
All the London restaurant reviews on World Foodie Guide
Contact details:
Fernandez & Wells (Food & Wine)
43 Lexington Street
London W1F 9AL
Tel: 020 7734 1546
www.fernandezandwells.com
Opening times:
Monday to Saturday – 11am to 10pm and Sunday – 12am to 7pm
Fernandez & Wells (Coffee, Cake & Chocolate)
73 Beak Street (just around the corner from Lexington St)
London W1F 9SR
Tel: 020 7287 8124
Opening times:
Monday to Friday – 7.30am to 7pm, Saturday – 9am to 7pm and Sunday – 9am to 6pm
Helen Yuet Ling Pang @ World Foodie Guide
Ah, I used to come here in the summer and get a box of their paella to eat in Golden Square. I haven’t visited the Beak Street side yet, those tarts look delicious.
Looks and sounds delish. Just another reason I feel sad about the (lack of) lunch options in Canary Wharf!
I’ve popped in here before and love it. But have never had one of their sandwiches. Think they would be a great place for a Sandwichist article.
Oh that rabbit stew! Great big chunks of meat! And those tarts – drool! And those sandwiches – sandwich heaven! Oh how I envy you working five minutes from this. We have one sandwich shop, nandos and mcdonald’s in camberwell..
Ooooooh! Rabbit stew. I would LOVE to try that. Looks delicious. One of the really nice things about it, quality of produce aside, is how helpful and friendly the staff are. I really do love it there. The Beak St one is lovely too, nice coffee, toasted sandwiches and cakes. Yummm.
One for the list, thanks Helen. Beak Street is my regular haunt, currently the best coffee in London.
I went to the smaller one of Beak Street for a cappuccino and pain aux chocolat…. and i really like the interior. I was sitting alone reading Delicious. mag and waiting for my friend who is an hour late. Nice place to be, even just two friends for a little catch up. I have read ppl recommending this late for dinner…. maybe we all should try! kekek~~
I am so jealous of your Helen, working in one of the best to eat place.. sigh, i work in Tower Hill, got nothing there @@”
They sell egg tarts? Did i see it wrongly? Looks absolutely gorgeous!
oh so naish, I love iberico ham and really wished my office is closer to central london now :S
I’ve been meaning to go here for ages, this has given me the kick i needed, I’m going tomorrow! That soup looks incredible.
this place looks excellent. i see “pulpo” written on the blackboard in the background and i want some of that!
I have to agree with Les, their coffee is amazing there as well!
Lizzie – the pasteis de nata looked amazing. Hard to resist!
American in London – I admit there are more options around me than in Canary Wharf! There are too many temptations around my office…
Jonathan – yes, perfect for a Sandwichist article. Let me know when you’re going!
Helen – oh dear, Camberwell doesn’t sound so great for lunch options!
Niamh – yes, the staff are all great. And tasty treats! and I did pop round to Beak St so that she could get some coffee, and I can see how nice it is there too.
Fat Les – yes, I went there the other day when tasty treats! and I went back to F&W for more rabbit stew, then she insisted on popping to Beak St for a coffee!
Suzie – I want to hang out in the Beak St branch more. I wish I had more time to have coffee. Tower Hill does seem a bit bleak for eating options. What about the Shad Thames area?
Adel – they’re pasteis de nata, Portuguese tarts (like the Macau ones). I’ve resisted them twice now, but it won’t be easy on my third trip!
Kang – you seem to get about London without any problems!
Boo – I had the rabbit stew again on Wed, but it was prepared differently and the chunks of meat weren’t so big. Still very nice though. It runs out quickly, so don’t go too late.
we are never full – one for the list when you return to England!
Pat – I must try the coffee next time! I was tempted. But you always need a little sweet something with coffee…
Thanks for all your comments!
Helen Yuet Ling
They’ve just opened a new coffee shop on St.Anne’s Court in between Dean St and Wardour St and the best thing, if you love coffee, is that all espressos are triple ristretto.
Lameen – yes, I’ve been there a couple of times already! Thanks for the tip…
Helen Yuet Ling