Behind the Little Yellow Door: 68 Notting Hill Gate

Less of a pop-up and more of a stay-put, The Little Yellow Door is celebrating its six-month lease extension this Spring. Renowned for infamous house parties, retro gaming nights, supper clubs and Thursday takeovers, the fictional flat share, which began in 2014, is keeping its roots firmly in the heart of Notting Hill. 
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With new American ‘housemate’ Hank, the bar-cum-living-room-dining-room will continue to open its door four days a week for the foreseeable future, from Wednesday through to Saturday. I headed down there last Wednesday to celebrate the lease renewal and see what all the fuss was about.

The Little Yellow Door (TLYD) kicks off each week with Supper Club on Wednesdays. Last weeks celebratory special consisted of a four course meal enjoyed with fellow guests - strangers and friends - and washed down by a range of cocktails.

The menu is always inspired by the nationality of the newest housemate, so it was time for us to loosen our belts for some American grub. The food was served as sharing platters - except the soup…that would be weird – so there was no room for British reticence.  ​

Pre-meal Cocktail
The Libertine – Earl Grey Infused Gin, Lemon Juice, Gomme, Egg White. Straight up in a Tea Cup; with a custard crème or jammy dodger and a very strong citrus kick.

Starter
Wedge Salad with Burnt Ends, Grated Egg, Ranch and Tobacco Onions, Thick cut Bacon with Red Eye Mayo, Chilli Apple and Pickled Watermelon

Soup
New England Clam chowder with Shrimp and Corn

Main Course
Boards of Bourbon Glazed Ribs, Pulled Beef Shin, Buffalo Wings, Smoked Sausage, Burnt Ends, served with Pickled Chilli and Kraut Slaw, Potato and Bacon Salad, Mac ‘n’ Cheese with Pickles & Burnt Onion Ketchup.

Dessert
Banana and Bourbon Hard Shakes and Malt Cream Brownies with Raspberry

The wedge salad was a welcome light starter to kick off the courses, and the pickled watermelon was an enjoyable first. Not being a fishy fan myself, my accomplice mastered two clam chowders before the meaty platter arrived, to murmurs of appreciation, iPhone snaps and ‘#instafood’ galore. As ever, my sweet tooth was alive and kicking, delighting in the mini malt cream brownies and banana and bourbon shakes. To keep us on our toes throughout the feast, the ‘flatmates’ set us the challenge of coming up with a poem about the evening. Not usually a fan of enforced fun, the game did have its rewards; through absolutely no contribution from myself, our table emerged victorious, resulting in free shots…

Passion of Christ Shot - Chamomile infused Belvedere Vodka, Passion Fruit Puree, and Prosecco. 

Post-supper the chairs and tables were swiftly cleared and living space reclaimed, ready for guests to sample some sharing cocktails…

Van Wilder (Sharing (1-2) - Tequila, Rum, Vodka, Passion Fruit, Guava served in a watering can…just because.

Towering Inferno (Sharing 3-4) - Home-made punch with spirits from across the world. Composed of fresh ingredients and a splash of fire. Alcohol Of The World, Juices, Citrus, Gomme. Made in a home style blender and built over ice. Then set on fire…just for fun.

A cosy indoor garden space was also opened up, complete with fairy lights. It was adorned, like the living room, with items belonging to the ‘flatmates’. TLYD story is that when the ‘flatmates' moved in and thought that the communal living area was ‘too good a space not to do something with’. The concept is a smart one, and the guys have done a great job of making the place really feel like a home.

Londoners seem to love it (judging by guest book messages), and TLYD's popular Friday dinners often get booked up weeks in advance. It's also the only London venue where bookings can be made via WhatsApp…how very 2016! They say “Visiting The Little Yellow Door, you may arrive with three friends and leave with ten…” I can’t say I did, but I can see how if you really wanted to it would be entirely feasible! It’s a great way to meet new people, and if you visit often enough you might even achieve the honour of drinking from a mug with your own face on it...not to mention a free drink on arrival. 

The Little Yellow Door
68 Notting Hill Gate, London W11 3HT

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