Located just off Hyde Park, The Champion in Notting Hill is a cosy joy to be in.
The newly refurbished spot comprises dark wood, candles, leather chairs and charming, vintage furniture set aside a crackling fire.
There's also a downstairs private bar which the restaurant claims was a favorite of the late Queen star Freddie Mercury - some feat given the singer, you might imagine, wasn't short of other options to find a drink.
The menu is relatively small but the meals we had packed a big punch in flavour.
I chose the fried squid in a sweet chilli glaze (£6.25) while my companion for the evening opted for pan-fried king prawns and chorizo on toasted sourdough (£6.25).
Both delicious, especially the former which offers fantastically crispy, light batter.
On to our mains and I picked the shepherd's pie topped with cheesy mash (£11) and the roasted half chicken and garlic marinade (£12.50).
The shepherd's pie was my favorite of the night, with tender beef underneath a perfectly cooked mash.
For dessert, neither my friend or I could avoid ordering the warm chocolate brownie (£6), a squishy, chocolate treat that doesn't verge past the boundary of sickly.
The drinks menu, too, is a welcome variety of beers, wines and spirits - and a special mention should go to the Spy Valley, Easy Tiger Sauvignon Blanc (£26.50), a wonderfully crisp wine.
The verdict
It's not hard to see why this was Freddie Mercury's favorite spot, as there's something about The Champion that tempts a speedy return visit.
The atmosphere is impossibly cosy, and with an outdoor sitting area the summer evenings will be a delight here too.
Getwestlondon gives The Champion four stars out of five.
