A breath of fresh air in Victoria, Pimlico Fresh

During my two and a half year tenure in a big glass box in Victoria, you would often find me grumbling about the food options. Limited to a stroll around M&S or notching your way towards that elusive free whole chicken at Nandos, you could say I was looking for a bit more. In my search for a decent feed, I have been to Kazan, Giraffe and Cyprus Mangal, all decent eateries in their own right but not really ideal for a quick light lunch. I let out a long sigh and resigned myself to my regular trips to M&S where I would always spend way too much on stuff I didn't really need.

Enter Pimlico Fresh, stage right. A mere couple of months after I left the big glass box, never to return, what do I stumble upon but exactly what I was previously looking for. Located on Wilton Road, a mere stroll from the aforementioned big glass box, Pimlico Fresh is a new(ish) cafe selling good quality fresh food, all simply prepared, letting the ingredients speak for themselves. I walked in and was directed to choose from the menu scrawled (well, written in rather neat handwriting) along the entirety of one of the walls.

I plumped for a coffee (flat white naturallement) and an avocado toast with extra bacon. I sat down and started to read snippets from the newspapers strewn across the tables and a short while later, food arrived. What I got was slices of avocado and tomato salsa on a toasted sourdough base, with a few rashers of delicious bacon thrown on top for good measure. Simple food, but delicious and affordable.

So Pimlico Fresh, a mecca away from the grease merchants and various fast food establishments that seem to have infested Victoria and the surrounding areas. I really wish this had been open during my tenure in the big glass box. There is so much that makes me happy about it. It is uncomplicated, but simple and decent grub. The staff are casual but attentive and the communal tables force the more unsociable amongst us to smile at strangers where we previously may not have. Still not enough to make me move back to Victoria, but a nice distraction when I am in the area.

Pimlico Fresh - 86 Wilton Road, Pimlico SW1V 1DE

Pulled Pork, Fernandez and Wells style

I love pork. In the hierarchy of meat, I think it wins. It is so versatile, you can have it in so many ways, in a roast, as bacon (smoked or unsmoked, a choice within a choice!), sausages, chops, and don't even get me started about the skin. Crackling ahoy!!!



One of my favourite ways of cooking it is very slowly on a low heat. 5, 6, 7 hours, the longer the better and it can handle it. What you get is extremely tender meat (and if you are like me, ensure that you get a tonne of crackling too) which falls apart as (pay attention) the connective tissue which holds the meat together starts to break down. Bodeans does a very enjoyable version, but I was informed by a certain @foodieguide that Fernandez and Wells on St Anne's court did a daily pulled pork sandwich. Served with lashings of rocket and cider apple sauce, it is a beast of the very best kind.



The only thing I would say is that it can do with a hint more seasoning, but at £5 a pop, it makes for a hearty and filling lunch. And look, here's a pic of Cat from The Catty Life trying to scoff one into her gob. She may only be little but the thing is almost as big as her head!

Fernandez and Wells Espresso Bar - 16a St Annes Court, Soho W1