Located in Battersea, it boasts charm, character and comforting cuisine.
If a Nancy Meyers movie were ever to be set in London, it would probably feature tashas at Battersea Power Station. The opening credits would showcase the station’s iconic silhouette, ladies who lunch would serve as the supporting cast, and the food – healthy and hearty – would steal every scene. Welcome to the charming and characterful South African restaurant.
tashas has been created by the South African entrepreneur, Natasha Sideris. A powerhouse in the food industry, she is the founder and CEO of Tashas Group. tashas has 22 restaurants around the world, including six in the United Arab Emirates, and one in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. She told FACT: “I knew I didn’t want to follow a cookie-cutter approach to expansion. Each tashas is inspired by a time or place relevant to its location, which is reflected in the design and an Inspired By menu”.
Battersea Power Station and the surrounding area have been transformed with love and a touch of luxe. The once lost landmark of London is now home to residences, hotels and, of course, world-class restaurants. tashas boasts an effortlessly elegant design and floor-to-ceiling windows that let you watch everyone from celebrities to yummy mummies and give you a close-up view of the station in all its gigantic glory.
If the #CoastalGrandmother look came to life, it would look like tashas. It feels like the coast has washed up to the capital, and brought along good vibes only. The interiors would make Martha Stewart proud – it’s easy and breezy with warm whites, beiges and browns, which are punctuated by potted plants.
During every visit, the restaurant was busy. Take your pick from the communal table, countertop seats and banquettes lining the wall. We’ve spotted friends and families, the Middle Eastern market and even the British rapper, Stormzy.
tashas is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and offers dining at a reasonable, return-worthy price. The lunch menu spans salads, sandwiches, soups, sides and more. The menu even includes a section called easy eating, as if to highlight its fuss-free, warm and welcoming approach. The staff are on hand to help, and full of knowledge and recommendations.
When in a South African restaurant, do as the South Africans would do. Order the Braii Broodjie, which is comfort food. The BBQ toastie is cheese-tastic with cheddar, mozzarella and parmesan, and served with tomato on sourdough bread.
The Aubergine Mille-Feuille has been a favourite of mine in the Dubai restaurant, and now also in London. It’s a veggie packed creation with aubergine, feta, pea shoots and encased in a warm spiced lentil ragu. The Prawn Pasta is a creamy concoction and perfect for a cold rainy day. The dish is successful in its simplicity, and combines tiger prawns, prego sauce, lemon butter and tomatoes.
We wouldn’t judge you if you came to tashas just for dessert. You’re are spoilt for choice, and just plain spoilt. Dishes range from Doxa’s Chocolate Slice to Lemon Posset. The Pumpkin Fritters were fantastically fluffy and served with vanilla ice cream.
The drinks range from wellness to whiskey, coffee, granitas, milkshakes, and juices. The alcoholic list includes Champagne, cocktails and wines. The No-Groni made us feel like we were still enjoying a glass of something special, without compromising on the calories.
Just like our favourite feel-good film, we keep coming back to tashas, as we know the experience never disappoints.
GO: Visit www.tashascafe.com for more information.