Salt & Honey, Paddington – tried and tasted

European bistro dishes enlivened by exotic Asian flavours
Pretty plates: Dishes including lemongrass and manuka honey-cured salmon at Salt & Honey
Ben Norum24 August 2015

Salt & Honey sits pretty on a quaint cul-de-sac just North of Hyde Park, inviting diners into its bright and airy space for similarly light and vibrant cooking.

The backstory

This is the second restaurant from Joseph Antippa and Tyler Martin, who opened Manuka Kitchen in Fulham to much acclaim back in 2012. Salt & Honey follows in a similar vein, serving European bistro dishes that are often enlivened by exotic Asian flavours – in part inspired by chef Martin’s New Zealand roots.

Style and surrounds

Small café-style tables positioned on the pavement out front bring a touch of Paris to Paddington, while inside its cream walls and bare wood tables are homely and wholesome. It feels all the more intimate for accommodating little more than 20 in the main dining room.

Wholesome: Salt & Honey is light and airy

On the menu

If The Good Life were to embark on a round-the-world tour, the resulting recipe collection would probably read fairly similarly to Salt & Honey’s menu. Flagship British produce is treated sensitively in starters such as fennel-cured beef with avocado oil, and salmon cured with lemongrass and manuka honey. It’s these ingredients which allow simple dishes to punch above their weight – vegetables are sweet and bright-flavoured, a bolognese is made with Wagyu, and a beef fillet is deeply earthy despite its lack of fat.

Something sweet

From a salted caramel panna cotta to a manuka honey and saffron brûlée, bright, twisted classics are order of the day. A special shout out must go to the peanut butter chocolate pretzel tart; a gooey dark chocolate centre encased in an nutty pretzel pastry.

Sweet somethings: Puddings include this peanut butter chocolate pretzel tart

Liquid libations

A relatively short 25-bottle wine list is internationally diverse in its focus, while bellinis and negronis make admirable aperitifs.

Salt & Honey: The Lowdown

Final flavour: A sprightly combination of perky produce and bright flavours

At what cost? Starters are £4.50-£9.50, mains £11.50-£22 and desserts £4-£5.50. Wines from £17.50.

Follow Ben Norum on Twitter @BenNorum
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