Dorian
What: Dorian. Notting Hill wine bar and bistro with the young and ever so exciting head chef Max Coen at the helm.
Where: 105, 107 Talbot Rd, London W11 2AT
When: Opened October 2022
Signature/standout dishes:
Bone in Sirloin
Röstis - salmon, caviar and crab
Skate with saffron sauce
Price: ££
What the critics say:
‘The team at Dorian have achieved something highly impressive: a neighbourhood restaurant that's worth travelling across town for.’ - The Nudge
‘Notting Hill supremo Chris D'Sylva's new haunt showcases seasonal produce and community spirit at its best’ - House & Garden
What Eric Mustard says: On drums we have Chris D’Sylva (founder of Dorian and owner of Notting Hill Fish + Meat Shop), on bass we have Ale Villa (bar manager, formerly of Core by Clare Smyth), Chef Kai Menneken taking up rhythm guitar (honing his trade under the guidance of Phil Howard), Chef George Williams on lead guitar (ex-River Café) and the sublime vocalist, Head Chef Max Coen (formerly of Frantzen, Kitchen Table and Ikoyi) strutting his stuff centre front. An ensemble that was all under the initial guidance of Ben Whitfield (Brasserie Zedel).
With an A-list lineup like this, it’s little wonder that Dorian has slotted in more than seamlessly to an ever-growing list of Notting Hill newbies. Frankly and rather expectedly, this tops the lot. In fact, it’s highly likely that this little number is the reason that everyone is working the ‘Notting Hill Renaissance’ into any sort of discussion about new openings in the area.
Light and bright but ever so slightly on the cramped side which in normal circumstances wouldn’t be a plus but at Dorian this helps to add the buzzy bistro feel. The menu is a triumph of vibrant meat and fish dishes that are packed full of flavour and offer so much more than your typical bistro. Dorian is definitely at home in Notting Hill but it also feels like a restaurant that brings something that is so very fresh to the area.
Follow Dorian here: Dorian
Follow Max Coen here: Max Coen
