Last Updated on October 13, 2024
Kingly Court’s trendiest new eatery from The Blanchette Team
Malik, Maxime, and Yannis Alary—the trio behind the beloved French bistro Blanchette—have launched their latest venture, Goldies, in the heart of Kingly Court. Amongst a landscape dominated by chain restaurants, Goldies signals a new era for the area, with a focus on welcoming independent, family-owned gems. The menu highlights wood-fired grilling, serving up small and large plates that capture the smoky flavours inspired by France, Morocco, and Spain.
Arriving at Kingly Court on a bustling Thursday evening, it was exactly the kind of lively scene you’d expect as the weekend approached—perfect for indulging in good food and well-earned drinks. You’ll spot Goldies as soon as you enter Kingly Court, nestled on the ground floor with its warm, terracotta-hued exterior inviting you in. If that doesn’t catch your attention though, the sight of golden fries and natural wines being savoured by diners certainly will.
Once inside, you immediately notice the thoughtfully designed interior, reflecting the restaurant’s charm: a curated collection of intriguing wines, shelves brimming with vibrant pickles, and lush greenery cascading throughout the space. At the back, the open kitchen features sizzling grills, filling the air with delightful smells that would get anyone’s mouth watering.
As the nights grow darker and colder, we opted for a seat in the terraced area to soak up the last of the warm, summer air. Although in winter months, I’d recommend choosing the countertop seats by the kitchen for a front-row view of the action. We were greeted at our table by none other than Malik (one of the owners) himself who, with his infectious warmth, enthusiastically shared the restaurant’s backstory and guided us through the menu, offering his personal recommendations which we swore by. Although you can’t go wrong here.
Browsing the menu, it’s clear there’s something for everyone , but with so many tempting options, we would’ve struggled to narrow it down without Malik’s expert recommendations. What really stood out, though, was how reasonably priced everything felt—especially for a spot in Central London.
The dishes are all designed for sharing, with sections for snacks, grills, skewers, and their signature frites with dips. Naturally, we felt obliged to sample a bit of everything, and so our Goldies journey began. Kicking off with drinks, I chose a Spicy Tommy’s Margarita while my friend went for a classic Negroni—both perfectly balanced and just the right amount of punch.
The first to arrive was the Challah bread, its glossy braids glistening under the lights. It was soft, airy and golden—so good that it hardly needed a dip, which is high praise coming from me. But when paired with their silky hummus, it was nothing short of divine.
The Beef Shin Croquettes arrived in two perfectly bite-sized portions, warm from the oven and packed with rich, succulent pulled beef and smooth potato purée. They were cleverly topped with pickled walnuts, which added just the right amount of acidity and crunch to balance the meaty flavour. A light dusting of parmesan had melted ever so slightly on top – a wonderfully indulgent touch.
The drinks menu is refreshingly simple but hits all the right notes with a selection of cocktails, beers, and a range of wines by the glass, including a few orange wines. My friend went for the Freedom Lager, served in a trendy branded glass, while I tried the delightfully bubbly Entre Vinyes Pet Nat.
Moving on…. from the skewers section we chose the Oyster Mushroom which was so juicy it was almost meat like, garnished with parsley and lemon to compliment the natural earthy tones from the mushrooms.
The next dish to arrive was the 38-day aged Beef Sirloin, and it certainly didn’t disappoint. Cooked to a perfect pink medium-rare, each slice was tender and full of flavour, with just the right amount of salty char on the outside. The accompanying zesty aioli added a refreshing tang, cutting through the richness of the meat.
Then came the Marinated Baby Chicken with Smoked Yoghurt, served in a portion more than generous enough for two to share. The chicken was succulent and buttery, with yet another beautifully side dip of smoky, yoghurt. It was a dish that showcased simplicity done right, with every element working together brilliantly.
But the highlight of the meal had to be the twice-cooked beef dripping frites, a Goldies special. Served on a large aluminium tray, they were golden and crisp on the outside, with a fluffy, almost creamy interior. For my condiment lovers out there, you may have noticed but Goldies offer plenty of dipping sources to choose from which are far more interesting than your ketchups and mayos. We opted for the Pepper, with its fiery kick, and the Andalusian for a slightly sweeter touch but all the options sounded great.
All the sides looked irresistible, but a special mention has to go to the surprisingly standout beetroot salad, which sounds simple but with its vibrant dressing, pomegranate seeds, and fresh greens, it checks the ‘health’ box beautifully. We also went for the BBQ corn ribs, smoky from the char and lightly slathered in Café de Paris butter with a smattering of parsley on top. They’re an absolute must.
We were too full for dessert (rookie mistake), but if you can pace yourself sensibly, the giant profiterole is worth saving room for. From what we saw at the table next to us, it’s a sweet tooth’s dream: choux pastry stuffed with vanilla soft serve, drenched in molten chocolate, topped with roasted hazelnuts.
Goldies may be the new kid on the block among London’s wood-fired restaurants, but it’s definitely here to stay. The atmosphere has a Mediterranean vibe that makes you forget you’re in the heart of London, and it’s perfect for any occasion. The food? Absolutely outstanding—you really can’t go wrong with anything on the menu.
Goldies London
10 Kingly Court,
Carnaby,
London
W1B 5PW