Kensal’s new rising star: The Wealthy Beggar, Chamberlayne Road

Locals know that 109 Chamberlayne Road has had a few incarnations in recent years. QPF have enjoyed much of what has come before, so when following a brief closure, a mysterious bit of graffiti appeared under the awning announcing, ‘The Wealthy Beggar’ we were intrigued. The ‘gram revealed we were soon to be treated to a 5-star-dive bar. Well – we don’t know about you, but that sounded about as much fun as could be had without breaking the law, and we could not wait to see what the ‘The Wealthy Beggar’ had to offer.

Sliding through the dark door on a buzzy Saturday night we were greeted by co-owner Ziggy and head chef Gareth. They gently apologised for the volume of the crowd as they led us to our table, past the candle-lit side seating and the cocktail bar, but they needn’t have – the atmosphere seemed to fit the scene, and locals appeared ready to party. But before any of that, there was food to be ordered and cocktails to be sampled. The menus are set to change with the seasons, but the tacos, sushi, dim sum and side bites on offer sounded so good we nearly ordered the lot. Kept company by a couple of delicious negronis, our food on the night hit that sweet spot between delicious bar bites and substantial sharing plates. The beef Takaki and truffle roll and salmon tartar with pomegranate and crispy onion roll were just as you want, fresh tasty and with some zing. The generous duck rolls were so good we ordered them twice. The beef burger kimchi dim sum were ingenious pocket-sized perfection. And the tacos, moreish charred white fish with jalapeno and warm aubergine with sweet chilli soy transported us to an equally delicious place.

Moving onto a Gimlet and a Tom Collins the night progressed just as we had hoped and expected, and before we knew it the place was jumping to a curated mix of 70’s disco, energetic electronica and the occasional banger. Looking around you could see the care that had been taken with the place – exposed brickwork and interiors that sit in the world of ‘Speakeasy chic”, but to be honest, as we shimmied towards the end of the night with the house lemon margarita shot, we were less bothered about the parts that make the whole, and more interested in spreading the word about our new favourite local hang-out. We think this local hang-out is one that is here to stay.

Contacts:
Address: 109 Chamberlayne Road. Kensal Rise NW10 3NS
@wealthybeggar.london
Opening hours: 5pm until late – Tuesday to Saturday

Check out our other reviews :

– 99Projects presents LIFE STILL Dawn Beckles & Poppy Lennox. Review by local artist Jessica Holmes

– Annie Mac – Before Midnight. Here at Outernet, 9th September 2022

– Morty & Bobs, College Road NW10

– De Nadas, a new gem on Goldborne Road W10 

-Nonemu – 109 Chamberlayne Road (closed)

– The Island

-Bel and Nev