Upstairs at Vera's is a spacious food shop selling fruit, veg, and carefully sourced produce, but once a month there's some high calibre cooking going on downstairs.
By day you can shop for groceries, grab a take away coffee and pastry, or enjoy lunch made by co-owner and resident chef Tim Peirson.
Tim previously worked at one Michelin star Angler and D&D restaurant Kensington Place, and was a finalist for the prestigious Roux Scholarship - so even his scrambled eggs are top drawer.
Once a month he flexes his cheffy muscles and turns out a supper club for 20 lucky guests in the cosy downstairs space shared with his gleaming open kitchen.
Somehow Peirson and fellow Vera's owners Ben and Grace Osoff, who all met working at London's top restaurants, have fitted a handful of tables and luxury design touches into the basement of this former dry cleaners.
Sat on stools at the pass we had a fine view of Peirson's meticulously timed service and beautifully plated dishes - it was like watching Masterchef the Professionals live but without the disasters.
Supper includes wine, and Ben and Grace are on hand to pour and inform you about what you are drinking.
A crisp green New Zealand Sauvignon blanc was a great foil for the crumbly cheese shortbread, which was just a teaser for a stunning starter of smoked eel with heritage beets, horseradish cream and pickles.
Served with slices of warm crusty bread, the meaty, filleted fish was perfectly set off by the earthy sourness of the beets, tang of the pickles, and creamy, peppery horseradish.
Next up was a luscious Spanish Tempranillo to accompany a dish that included a perfect pastry dome encasing slow cooked lamb shoulder. Alongside was a generous slab of perfectly pink lamb rump, atop smashed garlic potatoes, and greens with a heavenly rich gravy, and blob of English-style mint gel.
Peirson has clearly spent days planning and executing the different elements of his dishes - which feels like a special labour of love for our small but appreciative audience.
There was a sweet Coteaux du Layon from the Loire to go with the well-chosen dessert, a nicely wobbling, light lemon and thyme cheesecake drizzled with honey from hives in the grounds of Kenwood House.
For cooking this good and portions this generous it's serious value for money, and with a warm welcome that feels like a family affair Vera's supper club is a great addition to St John's Wood's food scene.
Vera's is at 6, Blenheim Terrace, St John's Wood. The next supper club is on March 28th. Find out more about news at Vera's via their newsletter.
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