Bucket (Bar, Restaurant)

Top 10 things you need to know about Bucket restaurant:

1) What would you expect from a seafood restaurant in London? Oysters and champagne on a silver platter? Good old beer-battered cod? You won’t find these at Bucket, I’m afraid. This Notting Hill restaurant specialises in sustainably sourced seafood, served by the bucketful.

2) Located in the west London triangle between Royal Oak, Notting Hill and Bayswater, Bucket will take you to an imaginary beach haven. Picture yourself in a beach club at dusk - soft cushions, dim candlelight, palm trees. The restaurant décor is spot on in the way it transports visitors to a dreamlike holiday paradise, without being tacky.

3) The decor is provided by Patsy Godik, creative director behind the striking Gaucho restaurant group, and ex-wife of Zeev Godik, founder of Gaucho. Their daughter, Georgie, leads on the food-and-service side of things at Bucket, alongside her husband Adam Hayward. Adam tells us how the idea for Bucket and its menu originated on various trips to the four corners of the Mediterranean. From the Italian town of Pietrasanta, to the French Riviera; from the beach-side taverns in Greece, to Spain’s tapas bars.

4) Most items on the menu are meant to be shared. This is not that much of a novelty for London, you’ll say. However, Bucket offers its own personal declaration of, “small sharing plates”. First, “small” is taken out of the equation, with giant buckets of seafood and boards of grilled fish taking centre-stage on the menu.

5) We suggest ordering some small buckets to share; highlights include whitebait, fried calamari, shrimps, and, of course, mussels. Alternatively, go for the big buckets, which can feed up to four people. We recommend the fritto misto for the eternal undecided: a combination of whitebait, calamari, shrimp and vegetables.

6) Apart from the buckets, the menu boasts some original and scrumptious appetisers. The grilled squid comes with a deliciously tangy lemon puree; the taramasalata is delicate and airy, and the seaweed crisps are so simple, yet so good.

7) All the seafood served at Bucket is sustainably sourced, so you can feel good with your entire self - body and soul, belly and conscience.

8) The restaurant is strong on drinks too. The house wine delivers on quality, and doesn’t break the bank. And the cocktails are creative and refreshing – the perfect match for the no-fuss, summer food.

9) You can also enjoy a glass or two at the bar, while tucking into fun little plates such as crayfish burgers and lobster toasties.

10) Bucket is not your local fish-and-chips. Nor is it a fine dining restaurant. It’s fun and genuine; not cheap, but good value. Just like the best holidays....read more