Wildflowers

Mediterranean, Modern European·
££££
·
Gold Award
·

SquareMeal Review of Wildflowers

Gold Award

When chefs open restaurants, we hear so often about pedigrees. The CV can often just be marketing by association, but in the case of Wildflowers - devised by former Trinity and Elystan Street head chef Aaron Potter - his creation really does have echoes of both those restaurants, particularly the former. There’s a laser-focused precision to the flavours that is reminiscent of Trinity, and an emphasis on personal service that feels all too rare in London nowadays.

This is a beautiful restaurant, but one that feels like an extension of a home. Potter and team are busy behind a beautiful marble-topped chef’s counter, which holds a selection of crockery and influential cookbooks within its shelves. A charcoal grill ticks away in the background. Pale wood and marble tiles continue the theme through the restaurant, which feels breezy and modern, but still has a bit of neighbourhood charm thanks to cutesy beige cafe curtains and personable staff.

On paper, Wildflowers certainly has a winning formula. The restaurant has an easy-going deliciousness that feels very Mediterranean - case in point, snacks like the moules farcies and gnocco fritto with coppa, gorgonzola, truffle honey. The latter is a crisp fried pasta parcel, draped generously with a holy trinity of ingredients. Is it tough to do? Not especially, but the combo is exponentially more than the sum of its parts. Moules farcies are gently steamed, and presented like oysters with a smooth garlic and parsley butter. Again, it’s not complicated food, but few restaurants pull off classic flavours with this care and attention to detail. We’d happily just eat four rounds of moules, sink a bottle of Chablis and be on our way.

We’ve just spent a paragraph eulogising the snacks, so you’ll be glad to hear there’s more of the same as you continue down the menu. Lamb tartare is a perfect match for the dank, rich, earthiness of good harissa and creamy labneh. The cuttlefish fideua - a smash hit whilst Potter was on the supper club circuit - is a majestic plate of food, sticking to the principle of great ingredients and great craftsmanship.

Perhaps what sums up Wildflowers best is a little coup of fior di latte gelato, rippled with balsamic grape must, sea salt and olive oil. It’s smart, honest ‘cooking’, by someone who thinks about food in the right way. You probably can’t go wrong with anything you order on this menu, and that’s the greatest compliment you can give a restaurant, isn’t it?

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Good to know

Average Price
££££ - £50 - £79
Cuisines
Mediterranean, Modern European
Ambience
Cool, Cosy, Widely spaced tables
Awards
SquareMeal London Top 100
Food Occasions
Dinner, Lunch
Alfresco And Views
Outside seating, Terrace
Special Features
Vegetarian options
Perfect for
Birthdays, Celebrations, Child friendly, Dates, Group dining [8+], Special occasions
Food Hygiene Rating

About

Wildflowers is the debut restaurant from former Trinity and Elystan Street head chef Aaron Potter, who serves an elegant Mediterranean at this cosy restaurant and wine bar in Pimlico's Newson's Yard.

Wildflowers is one of the first restaurants to move into the newly developed Newson's Yard, and takes up a large site over two floors that includes a downstairs restaurant, as well as upstairs wine bar and lounge. Joining Potter is partner and interior stylist Laura Hart, who has designed a sprawling space that still feels homely. Beyond the tables, an open kitchen is on display, and upstairs there are wooden counters overlooking the Newson's Yard courtyard below. On London's warmer days you can also grab a bistro table on the large terrace area right outside the restaurant. 

The menu leans heavily into Mediterranean cooking, taking inspiration from Italy, Provence and Spain particularly. You can see this across an a la carte menu that includes gnocco fritto with coppa, gorgonzola and truffle honey, moules farcies, and grilled sardine bruschetta with Amalfi lemon. Potter and team make lots of their own products in house, including the harissa that accompanies a lamb tartare dish, and much of the cooking takes place over a huge cast iron charcoal grill. Signature dishes include cuttlefish fideua with grilled wild white prawns and saffron aioli, and Wildflowers' soft serve fior di latte gelato with sea salt and olive oil. 

The restaurant also serves a more compact set menu at lunch time, that includes a selection of dishes from the a la carte. Upstairs, the more relaxed wine bar serves a curated list of European wines, as well as spritzes and cocktails, along with a list of cicchetti-style bar snacks to go with them. Although food service doesn't start until lunch time, Wildflowers opens in the morning for coffee and pastry. 

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FAQs

Who is behind the restaurant?

Chef Aaron Potter and interior stylish Laura Hart are the creators of the restaurant.

Helpful? 0

Do I need to book?

The team keeps tables in the wine bar for walk-ins, but booking is advised for the main restaurant. You can book via the website.

Helpful? 0

Location

Unit 2/3 Newson's Yard, 57 Pimlico Road, Pimlico, London, SW1W 8NE

020 4616 0181 020 4616 0181

Website

Opening Times

Lunch
Mon Closed
Tue 12:00-15:00
Wed 12:00-15:00
Thu 12:00-15:00
Fri 12:00-15:00
Sat 12:00-15:00
Sun 12:00-16:00
Dinner
Mon 18:00-22:00
Tue 18:00-22:00
Wed 18:00-22:00
Thu 18:00-22:00
Fri 18:00-22:00
Sat 18:00-22:00
Sun Closed

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Call Wildflowers to make a booking on:

020 4616 0181 020 4616 0181

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