A sunny June day in Richmond on Thames, and after a long walk along the river watching rowers, dog walkers and children feeding ducks it feels like the perfect time to head up to Richmond Hill Rise for a spot of brunch.
The Fat Badger is one of Richmond’s newest and most distinctive restaurants, combining a rural farm to fork philosophy with urban chic. It is one of a number of London restaurants owned by the Goodwin brothers who are making their mark on the London foodie scene.They claim to use all things foraged and locally grown, including sustainable livestock from their own family farm. In keeping with their commitment to ‘what grows together goes together’ the wines on the menu are all from their boutique vineyard in Nutbourne, West Sussex.
A glass of The Nutbourne sparkling was certainly the ideal fizz to put us in a sunny mood. With light flooding in through floor to ceiling windows and views down to the river the scene was set for an elegant Saturday brunch experience. Fat Badger is artfully decorated with striking blue walls, marble topped tables, colourful paintings, oak floors and pink and green furnishings.
The menu here is not a list of the usual ubiquitous brunch fare, although it does include the classics. The menu champions British produce and promises the spoils of the English countryside and coast.