Tucked away just off Wimbledon Village, local favourite Fire Stables has re-opened as a destination restaurant following an extensive renovation by Young’s. The restaurant’s new look is timelessly classic with a touch of Parisian cafe charm, conveying the easy-going sophistication synonymous with the area. The menu reflects this sentiment, championing the very best of seasonally-sourced ingredients with an emphasis on fresh fish. The restaurant is open all day, every day for everything from a light lunch to three-course dinners, and of course brunch at the weekend.
Located on Church Road, only a couple of court lengths from the All England Lawn Tennis Club, don’t be surprised if you bump into players enjoying meals with their coaches and families during the famous Wimbledon tournament.
The daily catch
The kitchen’s guiding principle is to source the best ingredients and to treat them with the upmost respect, supporting the UK’s fishermen and farmers. Daily-catch specials are shown prominently on a blackboard and attractively displayed in a fish counter at the front of the restaurant. Start with scorched mackerel, English ramrod onions with a blackened onion emulsion; or the Fire Stables’ signature oysters, served classically or with homemade Bloody Mary sauce. For the main event, fish specials are baked or finished on the grill to give a light char, and accompanied by a fennel, apple, radish and dill garnish. Pair with your favourite dressing including a lemon and chive butter sauce or an absurdly good hollandaise. If you are looking for that extra touch of opulence, pre-order lobster or crab – the restaurant will source them directly from the boat that morning especially for you.
If fish is not your thing, do not fret. Standout dishes from Britain’s fields include corn-fed chicken breast with leg coquette, truffled sweetcorn puree, smoked bacon and a watercress jus; and lamb rump with belly crotons, gem lettuce and Montgomery cheddar with a Caesar dressing. Modern desserts include chocolate brownie, griottine cherries and peanut butter ice cream, as well as vanilla cheesecake with rhubarb doughnuts and Earl Grey gel. Sundays are a real treat, serving up sizeable portions of either aged beef sirloin, corn-fed chicken with wild boar stuffing or roasted cauliflower with spiced tempura and apple caramel.
A charming transformation
The front of the dining room is a light and airy space, thanks to the high ceilings, full-length glass frontage, 1920s-style lights and a magnificent statement glass chandelier. At the rear, stone floors, exposed brick walls and leather banquette seating evoke an authentic sense of occasion dining. Here, the walls are covered in quirky Victorian drawings and artefacts, interspersed with vintage mirrors and low-lighting, conjuring a Gallic rustic charm synonymous with a bustling Parisian brasserie.
The bar area and wine cabinet continue the restaurant’s rich colour palette of British racing green, black and tobacco. High bar chairs, couple’s booths and brown leather sofas in front of the working fireplace provide the idyllic spot for an aperitif or a relaxing post-dinner cocktail.
Signature tipples
From the bar, a rotating collection of local and craft beers are available. Take your pick from a global collection of wines, organised by flavour rather than region, each perfectly paired with dishes on the menu. Expertly prepared signature drinks include the Smoky Bacon Bloody Mary and the Monkey Jam cocktail (Monkey Shoulder, homemade jam topped with soda). If bubbles are more your taste, choose from a carefully selected range of vintage and non-vintage champagnes.
Whether you’re seeking shade following an afternoon at the tennis, a romantic evening or a lazy Sunday, where better to spend it than at the Fire Stables in this cosy part of Wimbledon Village.