Petersham Nurseries

Referring to Petersham Nurseries as a mere garden centre cafe is an injustice. The bohemian green space is down a dirt footpath perched on the edge of Richmond Park. It is home to, well yes, a garden centre, but also a quaint wooden tea house, a cafe nestled under vine-tangled wreaths and branches, a restaurant spread across two bright greenhouses with eclectic antique furniture, artworks, foliage and blooming flowers, and the most instagramable shop I've ever seen.

 We visited for my good friend Krysti's 30th birthday. Being a large group we enjoyed a set four course menu designed around the home-grown produce and seasonality. Every plate was adorned with edible spring flower, organic herbs and vegetables grown in the garden. 

While the broad bean bruschetta, followed closely by a spread of sharing salads and a most delicious hake dish topped with home-grown sweet peas and shoots made for a divine meal, the real standouts were the desserts. 

Not usually one with a sweet tooth, the refreshing Prosecco poached nespole with jelly and thyme was a dream to look at, and even more so to taste with bright yellow nespole and sorbet against muted grey stoneware. Being a birthday, of course there was cake, and this orange and almond cake, well it was a triumph, I'd devour the whole thing in a heartbeat.