By Majella Taylor: Caractère approaches five.
Emily Roux and Diego Ferrari’s Caractère restaurant opened in 2018, now almost five years later it has cemented itself securely within the ever-evolving Notting Hill restaurant scene.
Reflecting on approaching five years of opening Co-Founder Emily Roux remarked: “We are so thrilled to still be here five years later after everything that’s happened. Caractère is mine and Diego’s first baby really, we put everything into it, and we can proudly say that we have built something to be truly proud of thanks to our wonderful team of staff and supportive guests.”
Since opening, the food creations of Chef-Owner, Diego Ferrari, and Head Chef, Gaetano Farucci, have proved a consistent success.
The menu reflects seasonality and is divided into six-character traits: Curious; Subtle; Delicate; Robust; Strong; and Greedy – with up to three dishes to pick and choose from in each section.
Most dishes are a dual expression of the French and Italian heritage belonging to husband-and-wife Emily and Diego. Former Le Gavroche Head Chef, Gaetano Farucci, joined the Caractère team last year as Head Chef and works seamlessly alongside the owners he has known for so long.
Sustainability is also a key consideration at Caractère: “We do everything in our power day to day to make sure we are keeping our environmental footprint as low as possible” added Roux, by sourcing seasonal produce and using all produce and ingredients in their entirety.
The Italian and French wine collection is overseen by Head Sommelier Marco Nardi. He has introduced a ‘French versus Italian’ wine pairing for Caractère’s tasting menu. Diners can enjoy glasses of wines from both countries with each course, giving them the option to compare and contrast.
The Notting Hill restaurant scene has experienced a gastronomical renaissance in the past few years. Caractère now finds itself in an incredibly dynamic space for culinary expression, with an array of exquisite dining options now available to diners in the West London neighbourhood district.
