Rick's - London

We had a fabulous evening at Rick's, we were a party of 18 for our Xmas party, Rick and his team were excellent, we had the full menu, the food was delicious, service and great atmosphere , thank you

This cosy restaurant away from the bustle of Tooting Broadway, is South London's biggest secret. I have lived in Balham and Tooting for decades and never heard of it. With tables arranged for two, three, or six people, a charming French waiter and a busy crew, visible beyond the bar in the kitchen, this looked like the real deal. We started with boquerones and liver parfait and went on to bavette, chips and gravy, as it was steak Tuesday. This came with a complimentary glass of red wine a decent brew from the South of France. Food, wine and service Service was personal, charismatic, and attentive, though the waiter did forget to substitute chips for mashed potato for my wife who ordered the brill. And the brill was brilliant. With a lemon, sage, and butter sauce this was one of the outstanding dishes of the night. My bavette was a thin and bashed cut, perfectly cooked to be pleasantly enjoyed unhindered by gristle. Topped with a pepper source and accompanied by demi glace based gravy, and thick double cooked chips, it really hit the spot. And for £16.50 including the glass of red wine, this represented good value. The wine list had some chunky prices on with most reds being £30 £40 which did not seem to fit in with the local clientele’s budget. I noticed no bottles being served the night we were there, as the 15 or so people in the place with there for value on a Tuesday, and not an expensive blowout. Atmosphere With green walls, a dense collection of gold framed paintings depicting vegetables, landscapes and French buildings, Rick’s Dining Room had a genuine warm feel, that could have matched dining experiences in a mid sized French town. Add a negroni, a beer and a tip and we paid £80. That is at the upper end for Tooting but in the lower zone compared with Central London. I would recommend that you come and try this place if you find yourself on the Northern Line, practise your French with the waiter, and chat the evening away with your dining companion(s), knowing that you'll be well looked after and that the food is the real deal.

Fabulous The best Burrata I’ve had since lockdown with a side of Baquerones ! Truly splendid My Main was Lamb in keeping with Easter tradition and it was excellent. If you are in the area don’t miss this small but very unique restaurant, it’s a delight. G

Rick's has been by some distance the best restaurant in Tooting for many many years. Rick is a superb chef sourcing only the best ingredients and whose cooking is far above the average. The restaurant is not large and always full buzzy and a pleasure and Rick himself will usually come and make himself known to you. I cannot recommend it too strongly. The meat comes from Ginger Pig, the fish by special van I urge you to sample the Shetland Clams. David Solomon

One of my favorite restaurants in South London is a cozy spot with a relaxed atmosphere, owned and run by chef Rick who is very welcoming. The food is all homemade, using quality ingredients and is delicious! The menu offers a variety of interesting dishes that change with the seasons, and they also have affordable set meals for only £10, making dining out accessible for everyone. Keep up the great work!