Review on Perilla
After successful residencies in Dulwich and Clapham, Perilla has found a permanent home in Newington Green. The duo behind the enterprise are chef Ben Marks whose CV includes prestigious restaurants such as Claridges, The Square and Noma and front of house Matt Emmerson, who previously worked at Polpo. The restaurant also has some serious backers in the industry, Michelin starred Philip Howard, Martyn Nail from Claridges and Thomas Kochs, MD of the Hotel Café Royal.
Inside it's bathed in lots of natural light from the large windows, a pared back space with exposed brick walls, a lovely wooden ceiling and simple wooden tables and chairs set on original terrazzo flooring. A cosy and inviting ambience with candles on tables and a semi-open kitchen, with a small bar with high stools.
Billing itself as an anti–fine dining, fine dining restaurant, menus change daily and offer guests inventive dishes using fresh seasonal ingredients at affordable prices. Kick off with burnt onion and cultured cream soup with roasted nuts before moving on to grilled calves liver with onions, cabbage and potatoes, or if you prefer fish there's skate roasted on the bone with Alexander gribiche, wild garlic and green salad. To round things off opt for the delicious grilled herb and honey crème caramel.
A carefully thought out wine list complements the food with plenty of options available by the glass or carafe. Elsewhere there's local beer, well crafted cocktails and homemade soft drinks.
Cuisine
Modern European
Chef
Ben Marks
Restaurant Opening Times
Lunch: 12.00 - 3.00pm Sat (12.30 - 4.00pm Sun)
Dinner: 6.00 - 10.00pm (6.00 - 8.30pm Sun)
Accepted credit cards
Visa, Master Card, American Express