Grafton House

 

Contemporary restaurant offering traditional, simple organic food in intimate surroundings.

If you’re after intimacy, combined with sleek yet comfortable surroundings and unpretentious, fresh, organic cuisine, Grafton House is the place to pinpoint for an evening meal. Admittedly a bit off the beaten track, Clapham Common’s actually not that hard to get to – you just need to sit on the Northern Line for a bit. Having arrived, head for a classy set of wooden doors which will spring apart automatically as you mount the steps to reveal a rich, refined interior, swathed in burgundy and punctuated with deep woods. Once inside, it takes a while to spot any sign of a restaurant - at first sight Grafton House appears to take on the form of a slightly incongruous, but chic bar. Look beyond, however, and you’ll spot a discrete host of tables hidden out of sight. A two-way mirror shielding the tables means diners are afforded the visual stimulation of a bustling bar without the attendant babble. Much thought has been invested into producing a contemporary, open design that still allows guests privacy and a sense of personal space. Grafton’s menu reflects the restaurant’s penchant for traditional and uncomplicated British dishes, so don’t go expecting any innovation or fancy fusion. Nevertheless, there’s sufficient range to keep you deliberating over the menu for a good few minutes, while the simplicity of each dish means that the true flavour of each component shines through. Grafton House prides itself on its cocktails so make sure you slip one or two into your evening’s meal. This is a great choice for those who don’t mind heading a bit out of town to enjoy a modern, yet cosy, uncomplicated meal consisting of fresh, locally sourced ingredients and strong simple flavours.

Best for:
Strong, simple flavours, intimacy, international cuisine, contemporary design and cocktails.

Did you know?
The restaurant’s interior designer, Mistey Buckley, has also worked on the Brit Awards and Live 8.