Dove Restaurant' Delights

Dove restaurant in London provided a delightful dinner with interesting crockery and glassware.

Outdoor Seating

They were almost full on a Saturday night and could only offer us outdoor seating. I wondered whether we would get traffic noise and fumes. Outdoor seating means you might get stuck beside smokers. They told us there would be an awning and heating.

We accepted, hoping that one of their indoor patrons would cancel or be late. In the event, we had made the right decision. The outdoor seating was in an area with restaurants which had outdoor seating both sides of what was in effect a cul-de-sac. Big concrete blocks allowed in the passage of one emergency vehicle at one end, discouraging through traffic, making the place almost a pedestrian precinct. So no traffic noise nor fumes. The outdoor seating was two tables deep, giving a Mediterranean feel.

In the event, we had the indoor table as long as we needed it.

Pre-Dinner Drink

I had a Champagne, Pol Roger.

The next table's diners had a Dirty Martini, James Bond style, 3 ingredients, which looked even more interesting than my Champagne Pol Roger, which was good. A Martini, a brand name, contains Martini Vermouth. A dry Martini has a mere  drop of  gin, which makes a big difference, and is usually served with an olive. A dirty Martini adds the brine (salt water) from the olive.

Attractive Glassware 

We liked their low water glasses, from a company called Parsley In Thyme. Small and light enough to hold easily. Low enough not to be knocked over. 

The wine glasses are from Rona.

Starters

We had a sardine, and a portion of pickles. My husband liked the large, single sardine. Nothing special, in my opinion. Kept us going.

Main Course - Chicken

This was a portion to be shared by two. 

The chicken was good. Succulent.

It came with a fish sauce. I am allergic to shellfish. They had asked if I had an allergy, and offered to put the sauce on the side, so that my husband was not deprived.

 

Side Vegetables

You had to order vegetables separately. This annoys me, adds to the cost. I am a meat and two veg person. That's what any Italian restaurant in my home high street would serve.We ordered chips. And a green salad.

Dessert - Date Delight

The highlight of the meal. I like dates. And puddings. And this was unusual. 

They also had sorbets. 

Coffee Time

We were also impressed by the small milk jug which is easy to hold. The small milk jug with indents is from Amazon. The same one is apparently no longer available but similar ones are listed with the words dimple or pinched.

Toilets

The toilets are downstairs. Quite steep. But there's a rial on the right. You can also hold the upright on the left.

The Surroundings

Nearest station is Ladbroke Grove on the Hammersmith to City branch. Also a walk away, a bit further, is Westbourne Park station and the walk takes you through Portobello Market. It was closed in the evening. But the whole area is lively with amusing shops, a biscuit shop with theme biscuits, a cookbook shop. 

Amusing people..

The Dove Restaurant Address

31 Kensington Park Road

Useful Websites

https://dove.london/

https://parsleyintime.co.uk/glassware-c42

https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=rona+glasseshttps://www.amazon.co.uk/Utopia-Anton-Black-Pinched-Milk/dp/B00CUTS8QM/

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Sit beside a statue of Spike Milligan

Spike Milligan seated statue, and plaque. Photo by Angela Lansbury. September 1026. Copyright.

Spike Millian statue seated, as if watching park visitor. Photo by Angela Lansbury. Copyright. September 2026.

 In Finchley, within Stephens House & Gardens.  Why here? Because it was placed here by the Finchley Society of which Spike had been president.

Spike Milligan Story

My family's favourite story about Spike Milligan is about how Spike Milligan claimed he met Harry Secombe, both of whom were later in the Goon Show on radio. 

Publicity photo from the BBC on Wikipedia. Fair Use.

In Italy in WW2, Harry came running down the hill after a canon which had got loose, shouting, 'Have you seen a canon?'

Spike Milligan replied with a question, 'What colour?'

You can watch an interview with Spike Milligan on YouTube.

The Gardens are open to the public. For current times see their website. You can book a guided tour. Or rent a room or more for a wedding or conference.

To Visit The Park & Playground In Finchley

The park has two main entrances from the main road. The uphill entrance has a path leading to a large well-equipped children's playground which has slides, swings and climbing frames, a tunnel, a roundabout and a stand-on see-saw. Endless free fun, for little ones. 

Walk downhill to the buildings and you reach the bench with seated Spike Milligan, and the toilets, book borrow and leave rack, and a cafe serving delicious cakes for tea time.  

For more details of this park and statues worldwide see my other posts on seated statues.  

St Stephens House And Gardens

17 East End Road, London N3 3QE

Useful Websites about Statues and Spike Milligan 

https://www.stephenshouseandgardens.com/visit/spike-milligan-statue

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 Bringing magic to the world. They make the mirrors for Versailles.

www.Concept1900.com

Theme Park Trade Shows And News

 IAPPA Expo Europe will be in Vienna next year. Back in the UK will be in 2030, probably every four years.

BALPPA, British Association of Leisure Parks, Piers and Attractions has a calendar on their website

Clip 'n Climb

 

Clip 'N Climb is already all over London Now in O2 London. Also in Croydon, Wandsworth, Colindale. Uxbridge soon.

I saw this at IAAPA at Excel in London.

Eurojump inflatables

 

They had just fifteen at the bargain price of 690 euros At IAAPA.

 The discount is because they are confident the buyers will come back for different models. 

The inflatables must be brought inside in rainy weather.  Southern Europe, even in UK sometimes leave them out.

They have strong stitches. To take them down, pull out the plug and they go down by themselves.

They go down to 3 metres by 3 metres, minimum. No max size, no limit. But heavy, needing two to lift them

 Not much chance of a light fingered person walking off with one under their arm. Delivered on a slatted Euro pallet. All over Europe.  Further would be unecomomic for just one, but if you want more, says Andrea, we can talk about it. 

More details from Eurojump inflatables, in Italy.

.www.eurojumpgroup.com

Timberlab makes wooden seats, lights

 Timberlab in the Netherlands makes seats, lights and fences. They use sustainable wood.

The benches are entirely wood, no metal nails, nor armrests.

I met them at IAAPA show AT Excel exhibition centre at Custom House train station in London.

Customers and designers who visit the workshop often praise the smell and might be given a wood fragrance. They should sell it