What inspired you to launch the new Wild by Tart restaurant?
Lucy: We’d been thinking about it for a while; it was always the dream to open our own studio with a relaxed restaurant. When we found the perfect spot, we had to go for it.
How did you settle on the concept?
Lucy: It was the location that inspired us to open a delicatessen along with the restaurant and studio. A lot of people work in the area, but there’s not much choice when it comes to good quality, take-out food, so we thought we’d better do that as well.
When did you both start cooking?
Jemima: We’ve cooked since we were kids; our mothers taught us and we’ve enjoyed it ever since.
Where are your favourite outdoor spaces in London?
Jemima: All of the parks – we’re lucky to have parks that are looked after so well. We try as hard as we can to do some sort of walk in a park every single day; it’s the best thing for clearing your mind.
If you were asked to prepare a meal for 50 people at short notice, what would you go for?
Lucy: We’d put together a spread with an Italian vibe: maybe a few barbecued or roasted fish drizzled with olive oil and stuffed with fresh herbs and homemade aioli, a couple of pasta dishes, some grilled vegetables with zingy sauces, crusty bread with olive oil and a damn good cheese platter.
What’s your favourite comfort food?
Lucy: It has to be spicy pasta.
What does the future hold for Tart London and Wild by Tart?
Jemima: We wouldn’t mind taking Tart overseas to the sunshine. Failing that, then maybe the English countryside.
What would be your perfect menu for a garden party?
Jemima: It needs to be seasonal: think easy, clean flavours and super-light and fresh for summer. I’m always happy with grilled fish over a barbecue with a few crunchy salads followed by a creamy dessert – it’s the ideal time to show off your new ice-cream recipe.
What drinks would you serve?
A very good chilled white wine. On arrival perhaps something fresh and apricot-y, such as a Torrontés, or a sparkling pink – you can’t go wrong with a Laurent-Perrier Rosé.
Would you have a dress code?
Lucy: Definitely something floating and silky, but with chunky heels so you don’t sink into the grass!
Do you have a go-to flower colour scheme?
Jemima: Not really – just keep it subtle and fresh. The summer is all about wildflowers, long, lazy days and not caring too much.
Would there be a theme?
Lucy: Keeping it natural is key with clean, soft linens, little glasses with freshly picked flowers and the occasional candle – nothing too matching or stylised.
What crockery and cutlery would you go for?
Lucy: We have such a collection. It’s usually rather mismatched, but now that we have the restaurant we can lay a table with a whole set of the same crockery! We use off-white plates and little emerald-green side plates from Puglia, brushed-metal cutlery, wine glasses etched with stars and recycled, green water glasses from Morocco.
Where would be your dream location?
Jemima: Up on a hill overlooking meadows laden with wildflowers and the occasional tree to shelter from the sun. There’d be a long table full of sharing platters and live music for dancing the night away afterwards.
Who would your dream guests be?
Jemima: Our friends, a dreamy guy that we could flirt with, someone from a jazz band who could play a few numbers and a fantastic dancer to sweep us off our feet.
What would you give as party favours?
Jemima: Something homemade – perhaps bramble vodka or chocolate truffles.
Wild by Tart, 3-4 Eccleston Yards, SW1W 9AZ
tart-london.com | @tart_london
Images courtesy of Shaun James Cox; Tart London
