Tell us all about Dickie Fitz
A new face in Fitzrovia (taking over from the Newman Street Tavern), Dickie Fitz is a fresh take on Australian and Pacific cuisine in an all-day dining room. Think less ‘shrimp on the barbie’, and more 'lobster from the charcoal grill’. From luxurious breakfasts, to the wonderfully named Sunday Feasting menu, there's a reason to drop in, no matter what you’re hungry for.
Where can we meet for a drink beforehand?
Stop off at Salt Yard, directly across the road from Dickie Fitz, where you can limber up for the main event with a glass of wine or two. It’s worth mentioning that Dickie Fitz boasts a beautifully curated wine list and cocktail menu, so consider arriving early to set up camp at the bar. Or, if the weather is on your side, there’s a very inviting looking banquette under an awning outside, where you can sit as you begin your assault on the cocktail list.
So let’s talk more about drinks
It’s clear from just a glance that a great deal of love has gone into creating Dickie Fitz's wine list. Our (extremely charming) waiter talked us through various options, before suggesting a bottle (an extremely charming pinot gris, The Rude Mechanicals). Bottles start around £19, and go all the way up to £120 for white, and £450 for red - with plenty of fun to be had in between. They also offer corvina wines by the glass, starting at £14 and going up to £30, if want the option of switching wines between courses.
The cocktail list is a nod to Dickie Fitz’s Antipodean heritage, with drinks like the Tim Tam martini and U Beaut, a green tea infused gin and champagne cocktail.
Where should we sit?
Dickie Fitz is split across two floors, each with their own pace and atmosphere. If you’re after a more intimate, slower paced evening, try and grab a table on the upper floor.
Upstairs offers a quieter more secluded dining experience, and has a semi-private side table slightly off the main room that can seat up to 12 people. This would be the perfect spot to try out the Sunday Feast menu, if you’re due a boozy catch up with old friends. But if you’re after a little stylish hustle and bustle, sit downstairs and be dazzled by the starburst chandeliers and gorgeous art deco bar.
What should we order?
While vegetarians will find plenty to enjoy at Dickie Fitz (the califlower gyoza, for example, looked incredible), meat and seafood does take centre stage here. For the main courses, you have a choice between main plates, and dishes from the robata grill. We both ended up choosing things from the grill —here’s what got us really excited.
Tuna takaki, avocado and ponzu (£9.50) - lightly seared tuna is paired with pickles to create a delicately flavoured dish that is the perfect appetiser, and a good counterpoint if you fancy a bloody chargrilled steak for your main.
Lobster, wild garlic and chilli (£19.50 half, £34 whole) - this dish is simplicity itself - sweet, delicious lobster dripping in wild garlic and butter, and when it’s this good, you don’t need anything else on the plate. The claw and leg meat is thoughtfully shelled and laid out for you, so you can concentrate on stuffing your face.
Fries with chicken salt - these fries merit a trip of their own. Chicken salt is the garnish du jour for many restaurants, but Dickie Fitz is the first I’ve come across that makes it this good. Insanely addictive and delicious.
Chocolate fondant, salted peanut, burnt marshmallow (£7.90) - the sort of dessert where you have to pause mid-way through, because you’re slightly overwhelmed by how delicious it is. The burnt marshmallow was expertly done - not overly sweet or sticky, and partnered perfectly with the sweet and salty peanut brittle.
Mrs Robinson’s Lamingtons (£1 each) - this lamingtons recipes comes from the head chef’s mum, so it’d be rude not to try at least one. These are exactly what you want to nibble as you linger over your after-dinner cocktail or coffee.
Overall thoughts
Dickie Fitz is the place to go if you’re not in the mood for flashy bells and whistles - but just want the pure joy of eating wonderful food in a beautiful restaurant. The atmosphere is one of understated opulence, and everything is executed flawlessly and with real class.
Dickie Fitz is at 48 Newman St, London W1T 1QQ. Find out more about Dickie Fitz
Hot Dinners were invited to Dickie Fitz. Prices were correct at the time of writing.
