Frank’s Café co-founder James Dye has travelled east to open Bambi, a music-driven restaurant and wine bar in London Fields showcasing wine-friendly dishes and vinyl sound. Named after Dye’s great-grandmother, Bambi is a lively space where music is a key part of the experience.
Located on the ground floor of Netil House, which hosts multiple creative workspaces, the interiors effortlessly blend vintage nostalgia and clean modern design. The seating is high-top and counter with space at the bar should you wish to be on top of the action. After dark, the space is illuminated by an amber glow from an array of candles, backlit records, and retro pendant lighting perfect for casual dining.
Casual yet classy is what Bambi does best, with a menu of effortless, internationally-inspired dishes that highlight the best of British produce. The menu includes the likes of cauliflower cheese arancini; roasted beetroot, hazelnut, and gremolata; and chicken parm with vodka marinara served on fresh baked ciabatta. For dessert, dark chocolate profiteroles spiked with ginger are a welcome treat. Complimenting the vegetarian-heavy menu is a choice of natural, low-intervention wines. If you find one you enjoy, you can purchase a bottle to take home. Or treat yourself to one of their original cocktails including a frozen coffee 'Carajillo' which expertly blends tequila and Climpsons Coffee.
This is no one-note restaurant. As you transition into late evening, it transforms into a sleek but lively music venue with a program courtesy of Run Dem Crew founder Charlie Dark MBE. Resident DJs play a selection of records on a high-spec vintage sound system. During the day, the site is bathed in natural light and takes on another character – a quality sandwich and wine shop.