I had always thought the only person to eat dinner in bed was betting loudmouth and occasional reality TV buffoon John McCririck.
The ultimate slob, McCririck disgusted the nation (again) with his dining habits on Celebrity Wife Swap, seemingly spending most of his days stuffing his sizeable frame from a stinking bed.
But it turns out he's not the only one gorging from a mattress – venture down to Supperclub in Westbourne Park and you'll find an orgy (and there is somewhat of an erotic undertone to the place, but more on that later) of oh so fashionable people wolfing down plates of food on, yes, beds.
Inspiration for the concept most certainly didn't come from McCririck, however, and, from the crisp white linen and uber-cool artwork, to the performing drag queens and waitresses serving in school uniform, this place is the antithesis to his surrounds.
The first thing to mention about Supperclub is its location. Here you have a celebrity hang-out (Madonna held her birthday party at the venue) in the middle of what is effectively a housing estate under the Westway. The West End it most certainly isn't.
That's the first surprise. The second comes with the greeting – your host is excitable at best, suffering from ADD at worst. Rather like a camp Lenny Henry.
He'll bound or hop or skip you to your bed and you'll look on as he works the room which, for those with delicate eyes, is dangerously white.
You've only had a glimpse of the madness at this stage, and you'll have probably forgotten you've come for your five-course dinner which, incidentally, is chosen by the chef. Menus are out at Supperclub.
By the time your aperitif arrives you would have been joined on the bed by the couple you're sharing your coffee-sized table with, may have been offered a massage by a ridiculously gorgeous girl, certainly watched the first of the performing artists, which on this occasion was a scary looking woman dressed as a bird or something, and looked on as a naked artist's model, with only paint to cover his modesty, poses for pictures with punters.
As the courses continue to come out and get bigger in size, so do the performers, the high/lowlight (you may like this sort of thing) being the humongous drag queen in a purple Lycra number number belting out some Shirley Bassey.
More to my taste were the waitresses, who, in their outlandishly short skirts, almost writhe as they reach onto the bed to serve you.
Near nakedness is a theme here and the beds, of course, only add to the impression you could be at a swingers convention.
For a first-timer, the food seemed almost inconsequential but, thinking about it, was actually very good.
The salmon blini was a pleasant opener, the soup really excellent (although not ideal on a bed), and the steak with parmesan mash and a sweetish jus delightful. Pudding, a fruit pastry with ice cream was passable, despite looking marginally like a mini Greggs pasty.
After dinner, the doors to the bar reopen and the bright white space turns into a club.
For £45, Supperclub is an experience everyone should try. It might not be to your taste, but you'll certainly never forget it.
*Upcoming events at Supperclub include Love Brunch on Saturday, October 23, the first of a series of Saturday afternoon parties, and Paris La Nuit nights on Wednesdays, which will evoke the spirit and food of Paris's Leftbank.
For more information visit www.supperclub.com
Supperclub
12 Acklam Road
Westbourne Park
0208 964 6600
