London’s Premier Caribbean Dining Experience Ending

It is with great sadness I write that The Good Front Room will close on 30th April 2024.

Named after that sacred room in the family home, opened for highly-esteemed guests on special occasions only, those from a Caribbean background know what I’m talking about.

London’s first fine dining Caribbean restaurant located in a five-star hotel opened to great fanfare a year ago at The Langham. After an initial six-month pop-up, its leave to remain was extended further. The party line is that the “pop-up is ending,” with no more explanation proffered than this.

London loves it and not just those from or connected with the diaspora. On the night I visited, every table was occupied. No mean feat on a Tuesday night in colder weather.

The City took The Good Front Room to its hearts. Most love was reserved for the man who made it all possible – Chef Dom Taylor.

Quite what he will be doing comes May is unknown. Black Wall Street Media caught up with him a few months ago when the restaurant buzzed loudly and hopes for a widespread acceptance for Caribbean fine dining were high.

The Good Front Room was Dom’s opportunity to share his food memories, created by strong women in his family, including Auntie Myrtle, those who played a strong hand in his career choice.

“When I look back and all the stepping stones have brought me here, it feels like this is what I was supposed to do,” says Dom Taylor. “I’ve been called a trail blazer but this is just what I do,” he adds.

Those steps include running restaurants – like 1487 in Catford – and his now famous stint on Five Star Kitchen: Britain’s Next Great Chef, which aired last year on C4.

Taylor’s aim for The Good Front Room was to modernise the Caribbean cuisine dear to him from his Jamaican and St Lucian heritage.

He made his first pot of rice and peas at 12-years old under the guidance of his mother. Learning his art firstly from female family elders, including his Auntie Myrtle, Taylor later studied cookery at Lewisham College.

Taylor says that elegance has been key to the success of The Good Front Room, refining much-loved dishes like jerk chicken. Free sides of rice & peas, coleslaw and fried plantain quickly silenced those who feared high quality would replace acceptable levels of quantity.

Unsurprisingly, jerk chicken and curried goat are the favourite dishes ordered by diners. The removal of the latter from the menu last year caused negative reaction.
Where does chef like to eat Caribbean food?

Lickle D’s in Deptford High Street.

Remember, book now, to be in with a chance to experience Chef Dom Taylor’s vision for what Caribbean food can be.

The Good Front Room, The Langham, 1C Portland Pl, London W1B 1JA.