Behold the inaugural restaurant post! Many posts are in the making and will be posted shortly but here’s the first one to get the ball rolling…

Muriel’s Kitchen was the chosen retreat from the elements on this week’s rainy Tuesday afternoon in Richmond. As soon as we stepped in the door to avoid the British version of Storm Jonas, the atmosphere was relaxed and inviting with a homely feel and great lighting. The rustic tiled floor complemented the wooden tables and the quirky cooking implements that acted as wall decorations. The vibe was almost that of walking into the kitchen of classy country cottage. So far, so good.

Upon being seated at a quaint table with a tiny potted plant, we opted for a skinny cappuccino and a hazelnut latte. Both arrived promptly and were of a great quality – I’m a big fan of foam so that was a win. When they arrived, despite having said we were just here for drinks (life on an unemployed budget), we ordered a red velvet cupcake and a dulce de leche brownie.

It turns out these were excellent choices. The red velvet cupcake was beautifully presented, albeit slightly challenging to consume owing to its towering nature. The history behind red velvet cake is intriguing. Beetroot colouring has been used since wartime to add colour to bland ingredients, however the original red velvet recipe originated in New York in the 1960s in the famed Waldorf Astoria New York. After the secret recipe was leaked, it became a fashionable choice of New York’s affluent population for their classy gatherings.

Given its history, popularity and current fashionable nature, the red velvet cupcake is a highly scrutinised cake. Luckily, Muriel’s Kitchen’s take on the classic did not disappoint. The cream cheese icing was perfection – tart enough to enjoy in more-than-moderation without being sickly – and the cupcake itself was moist (I bemoan the use of this word but am awaiting the world’s discovery of a better word to describe good cake).

Our other choice, the dulce de leche brownie, was a dark, gooey piece of chocolaty goodness marbled with soft caramel that oozed from the centre. The only downside to this brownie was having to precisely and delicately divide it to ensure we both got an equal amount of caramel. As the younger sibling, I object to being short-changed in this manner. The exceptional thing about the desserts we sampled was that, although they were visually striking, they exuded the Grandma’s cooking vibe that was described in the menu. Another success for the chefs of Muriel’s Kitchen.

An all round solid culinary experience was only added to by the excellent soundtrack in the restaurant, from jazzy swing music that transported us to the Bayou to contemporary Florence and the Machine and Jessie Ware to old school Fleetwood Mac and The Pretenders. I was digging it. Despite only going for coffee and cake (which maybe turned into a bottle of wine as well…), the menu was appealing and extensive and reasonably priced for such an enjoyable experience. Muriel’s Kitchen most definitely lived up to its ‘Home Sweet Home’ slogan and we will surely be returning to enjoy it once more.

http://www.murielskitchen.co.uk