Set just off Westbourne Grove, FRAME is tucked slightly off the beaten track but was bustling with dates and families the evening we visited. At the Grove end of Hereford Road, with Aphrodite on one side, Durbar, and The Hereford on the other, it’s in esteemed culinary company.
With a compact, seasonal, menu, each dish was a showstopper. Spanish tapas of different sizes were perfect to share six or so plates between two.
FRAME has a small bar and makes a mean spicy margarita with tajin on the rim, whilst their regional wine list pairs brilliantly with the zesty Iberian flavours.
We opted for a selection of sea bream crudo, burrata with pomegranate, grilled octopus with celeriac puree, presa Iberica, and oxtail with leek puree. With a side of tenderstem broccoli for good measure. For pudding we shared a light as air Basque cheesecake. All were hits.
The décor is also worth an honourable mention; think distressed walls, patterned tiled floors, low, considered lighting, and comfortable leather banquettes spanning the main wall. Fresh foliage played against textured walls, and navy, tan, and tadelakt reigned supreme.
FRAME is owned and operated by Pawel Ptak and Violeta Chaidi. Pawel leads the food and kitchen, drawing on his experience of Spain and the Basque Country, whilst Violetta brings a strong background in hospitality. She leads FRAME’s interiors and overall design direction, the wine programme and the front-of-house team, while helping define the values that guide the business.
The result is food that feels both familiar and unexpected. Spanish and Mediterranean ingredients form the foundation of the menu, while subtle international influences allow Pawel and his kitchen team to introduce creative twists.
The menu changes with the seasons, balancing comforting favourites with new dishes driven by produce, travel, and Pawel’s creative instinct. FRAME is not about formality or experimentation for its own sake, but technically accomplished, generous food with personality.
Wine is an equally important part of the experience. Shaped by Violeta, the list places particular emphasis on Spanish and Mediterranean producers, bringing together familiar bottles and lesser-known discoveries.
Overall a top-tier neighbourhood restaurant. Chic but low-key. Great service and exemplary cooking paired with great quality ingredients delivered at very fair prices.
The details
Frame-restaurant.com; 39 Hereford Rd, London W2 4AB; reservations@frame-restaurant.com; 02033752678
