Quite simply, Julie’s Restaurant is a masterclass in hospitality. It’s rare that a restaurant ticks every box but Julie’s is a real treat for all the senses with intricate attention to detail that is made to look utterly effortless.
Once a regular at Julie’s, Tara MacBain brought its legacy back and reopened the Holland Park restaurant again. With artists, celebrities, fashion icons and even royalty like Princess Diana among its past patrons, the good old days are back. Whether you’re looking for a slow family lunch, a lively evening, or a private dining room, Julie’s is THE place. Led by Chef Patron Owen Kenworthy, the menu is a celebration of French cuisine with good old British ingredients, show-topping seafood towers, fine wines, and even a roaming martini trolley.
Elevated Brasserie Menus
Having spent months travelling and tasting, an all-day menu of French Brasserie classics with a contemporary twist has been lovingly developed. The menu, sourcing only the freshest of produce and ingredients, changes seasonally and exquisitely balances between simplicity and utter decadence.
Julie’s offers an enticing selection of starters. But before that, a generous plate of warm sourdough with a chicken butter really sets the tone. Begin with the chilled cucumber and nettle soup, topped with jalapeño and sourdough crumbs, or the eggs mollet featuring truffle, mâche, and fine beans. For a heartier option, indulge in their beef fillet tartare served with fermented beer relish, yolk, and crispy shallot. And don’t miss the raw fish corner, especially their oysters accompanied by mignonette, lemons, and Julie’s champagne. Our favourite – a duck liver schnitzel with a shallot marmalade. The most delicate piece of duck liver ever so gently breadcrumbed.
Moving on to the main course, you must try one of their seafood specialties such as the crab and scallop tortellini with spinach, brown shrimps, and beurre blanc – or the creamy lobster soufflé with leeks and Gruyère. This is no ordinary lobster souffle. A beautifully presented skillet is presented with a double baked souffle in the middle surrounded by a sea of creamy hot lobster. One of the most decedant dishes of the year. Also check out their hearty duck confit with turnips and blood orange, and the cauliflower with fermented barley and raspberry vinegar.
To try Julie’s iconic seafood tower, you need to visit them during brunch hours when they serve a brunch menu. The tower features Julie’s crescentines, Chalk Stream trout pastrami, mackerel pâté & dressed crab, among other dishes. The brunch menu also offers specials like Julie’s omelette, bacon scones, quail eggs, and garlic mushroom on toast.
Julie’s Wines and Drinks
Managed by Head Sommelier Chris Goodale, Julie’s values its guest’s long passion for wines, meticulously sourcing their own and everyone’s favourites from around the world. From classic to eclectic, Julie’s will help you choose a glass you’d definitely love to pair alongside your food. While the restaurant thoughtfully caters to your own wine preferences, the selection varies in tandem with the seasonal changes of the menu – an art itself to complement your culinary experience and delight you with the best wines.
Zoe Burgess, renowned flavour expert and founder of the flavour consultancy Atelier Pip, created Julie’s signature menu of drinks. Among their cocktails is the Beurre Noisette Cider Royal; a seductive take on a classic Kir Royal with an enhanced nutty flavour courtesy of browned butter. Another standout is the Cassis Pepper Sazerac; a silky and aromatic offering made with Cassis Pepper infused Cognac.
For the martinis, you have to try them from Julie’s trolley for table-side theatre. Honeyed and highly aromatic, the Sauternes Martini is a must-try. The sweetness of Sauternes complements the martini’s citrus notes, while a little orange zest verjus gives it a zing.
The Atmosphere at Julie’s
Designed by Rosanna Bossom, antique mirror walls, botanical chandeliers, embroidered leather chairs, and a glazed volcanic bar top surround the bohemian-styled restaurant. The moment you step inside, you’ll be enchanted by a signature floral maximalism as various prints and textures define the space. Spanning two floors, the ground floor bar is adorned with shells against timber panelling, with warm yellow and gold lights glowing the entire place.
Outside, the atmosphere buzzes with tables opening onto each other and the bar. On weekends, a pianist joins, adding to the restaurant’s ambiance.
In a nutshell
By reopening the restaurant, Tara’s vision aims to continue Julie’s story with conviviality at its heart with this timeless charm at every touchpoint. Julie’s isn’t just a restaurant, it’s a place where people meet, friendships forge, and memories are made – A true neighbourhood restaurant that gets things right.
To discover more, visit: juliesrestaurant.com
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All imagery courtesy of Julie’s Restaurant.