Latest opening: Ploussard

What: ​A sleek and stylish new sharing plates restaurant and wine bar that’s just launched in Battersea Rise, no more than a five-minute walk from Clapham Junction station.

Who: ​Ploussard is the new venture from hospitality duo Matt Harris and Tommy Kempton, who are best known as the founders of Brixton-based fried chicken outfit Other Side Fried, which they launched back in 2014. Indeed, Ploussard is taking over the site that previously Other Side Fried on St John's Road. Harris, who previously held chef roles at The Parlour in Kensal Rise, One Leicester Street in Soho, and Lambert’s in Balham, is leading the kitchen at Ploussard; while Kempton is overseeing the front of house.

The food: ​Harris’s menu takes clear cues from the numerous neighbourhood-style sharing plates restaurants that have popped up in suburbs across the capital, particularly in east London, combining a seasonal approach with elements of British and Mediterranean cooking. Dishes will change regularly, but at launch included a lamb and anchovy crumpet, which has already become something of a signature dish; Nutbourne tomatoes with wild garlic, ricotta and fried bread; mangalitza pork with mustard greens and beer mustard sauce; and rainbow trout, leeks, brown shrimp and espelette butter sauce. The menu is split between smaller and larger plates, with prices primarily hovering between the £5 and £15 mark.

The drink: ​The low-intervention wine list has been predominately sourced from Les Caves des Pyrene. It’s an extensive selection with a focus on French bins, and prices start at around £35 a bottle and can go as high as £95. Options available by the glass include a 2021 Les Petits Clèments; a 2020 Cotes Forez Poycelan Rouge; and a 2021 Salamandre Orange. A small smattering of house cocktails are also available, including a sage negroni; and a meadow and sorrel martini.

The vibe: ​Designed by Harris and Kempton, the smart interiors offer dark wood booths, with oat-coloured tabletops and tones of burgundy and light pink throughout the space. The main restaurant houses 34-covers in total, however, there is also a bar area at the front of the restaurant for counter dining and window perch seating.

And another thing: ​The restaurant takes its name from the French red grape wine grape varietal ‘ploussard’, which is found in Jura region of France.

97 St John's Rd, London SW11 1QY​
ploussardlondon.co.uk​​