An Australian affair: Dickie Fitz restaurant review
The new kid on the block avoids Aussie kitsch to show just how exciting Oceanic cuisine can be
Go to any metropolitan European city and you will find an impeccable brunch location run by Australian expats. London already has the formidable Lantana, Berlin has Melbourne Canteen, Barcelona has Federal Café. The list goes on.
Fitzrovia’s Dickie Fitz is the new kind on the block. And not only have they nailed the hipster formula of minimal typefaces, cold brew coffee and Instagramable marble/wooden tables, it also turns out that the worldwide champions of brunch and café culture can also do a pretty great evening meal too.
Antipodean fare from start to finish. We underestimated how dedicated Fitz would be to sourcing Aussie goods – the beef, wine and gin were all from the land down under. And not just for the sake of branding – everything we tried was well worth the overseas shipping fees from halfway around the world.
The relaxed all-day eating and drinking atmosphere continues into the evening, but with a touch more class when the lights go down. Grey marble tables, yellow banquettes and sparkling spherical lights feel suitably Fitzrovian; the perfect conditions to draw in the Instagram girls looking to get their evening glitz and Aperol spritz on.
And this translates into the food too. Tatakis and Carpaccios are perfect bait for those who like their food low on carbs but high on like-ability. So make sure you bring a date and order her the White Geisha cocktail.
The Tuna Tataki is Dickie Fitz’s success story, and for good reason. Take the waiters recommendation and order at least one, or maybe even two. The grass-fed steak is wet-aged and 150 day grain-fed to give it the maximum smokey funk and the deepest red hues. Order the side of green beans to give it company, served with a wonderfully spicy, and nutty, Asian sambal sauce.
When the sea bass main arrives, it could be mistaken for a generic bistro style dish at first, until you register the bed of udon noodles. The combination may, at first, hurt your brain but it is curveballs such as these that truly show the innovative appeal of Australian cuisine in the capital. And we shouldn’t be surprised – Australia sits surrounded by a wealth of diverse cultures and bold cuisines.
Serving a Panna Cotta in a martini glass verges on “Alicante all-inclusive”, but its presentation is redeemed in flavour. Paired with a mango sorbet and topped with a fresh, tart passionfruit dollop, it is quite the end to quite a meal.
The Yuzu Martini lacked the sweet and sour intensity of more successful versions of the cocktail, but the Australian wine was a hit. After initially turning our noses up at this new-world vino, it arrived in what looked like a loftily-priced craft beer bottle. We held off judging and were glad we did – the bottle didn’t last long.
Slightly pricey mains but well-priced sides and starters mean that you could easily hit £100 for two people, but this is still incredibly reasonable when compared to nearby alternatives.
But, overall, a great location to discover in a somewhat chain-filled are of London, it avoids Aussie kitsch to show the true flavours this style of food can offer – perfect for dates and over-enthusiastic social media lovers.
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