There’s an immediate air of mystery to Victor Garvey’s MATER1A - short for Materia Prima, meaning 'raw material,' a nod to the idea that each dish begins with a single ingredient. Its blacked-out exterior sits quietly in the shadows of the blaring chain shops along Westbourne Grove in Notting Hill. Apart from a small triangular logo - a subtle reference to alchemy - and a cheerful greeting, there’s little to give it away as the latest 16-seater from the Michelin-starred SOLA chef.
The food here unfolds as a journey through Victor Garvey’s culinary life, presented in either an 11 or 21-course tasting menu and shaped in part by two formative years he spent working in Japan. On paper, it’s a dream team: head chef Kaming Pang, formerly sous chef at SOLA, previously worked at the Michelin-starred Le Vielle Tour in Brittany, while sommelier Christian Vega, formerly of the one Michelin-starred Rotisserie du Chambertin in Burgundy, oversees the wine pairings.
The rich interiors of Materia in Notting Hill.
DesignMyNight's Review Of Materia In Notting Hill
Need To Know:
- Address: 115 Westbourne Grove, W2 4UP
- Area: Notting Hill
- Cuisine: Japanese-inspired
Ambience & We Think Perfect For
- Atmosphere: from the moment you enter, the journey begins. You're led through a dark, softly illuminated corridor, where ingredients like ginger and shine muscat grapes are displayed on either side, offering a preview of what’s to come. Inside, contemporary wood panelling ran throughout the space, while oversized rattan lights cast a warm glow over circular marble tables. There may not have been a fully open kitchen, just a small window, but a sense of theatre was ever-present, with every detail contributing to the experience. Meanwhile, DJ Dan remained stationed at his bespoke desk, subtly shaping the rhythm of the evening as the soundtrack shifted from dreamy and aquatic to something more pulsating by 10pm
- Perfect for: a special occasion
Service & Price
- Service: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Value For Money: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Cost: tasting menu (£189 per person) and drinks pairing (£160 per person). Total: £698 for two, excluding service charge
The five bites of March (pictured left) were presented like a secret garden.
Menu Highlights
Food: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Marinda tomato - the first course was a masterclass in flavour alchemy: glassy noodles made from tomato water and agar-agar, served with a crystal-clear tomato consommé infused with sakura miso. A hint of olive oil balanced the acidity with the fruit’s natural sweetness. It was a visually striking and cleverly composed way to begin
- Mr Tanaka's tuna - delicate, melt-in-the-mouth tuna shone in a deeply umami-rich sauce, framed by a floral halo of leek and elderflower. The sashimi was wonderfully flavoursome, while crisp garnishes danced around the dish, lifting and brightening each bite
- Oden - my first foray into the rich, soupy world of oden (a Japanese winter one-pot dish) came presented as ‘surf and turf’. The sea: a thick, firm chunk of lobster. The land: suckling pig, paired with an enoki mushroom broth brewed tableside for three minutes. We watched the sand timer run down as salty aromas filled the air. To finish, we were encouraged to sip the remaining broth through the bowl’s custom-designed nozzle - a playful and memorable touch
- Tochiakika strawberry - labelled ‘nature vs nurture’, this dish paired two pristine strawberries on ice (nature), showcasing the spectrum of tartness and sweetness within the fruit itself. Alongside came a sherbet-bright array of strawberry creations - sorbet, domed mousses, and a crisp topping. It was a playful finale and a welcome hit of sugar after a run of savoury dishes
Surf and turf (pictured left).
Drink: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- London Cru sparkling - to begin, we were greeted with a crisp, effervescent rosé, with hints of red apple. It set a bright, high-spirited tone for the meal ahead
- Montevannos Rivera del Duero - paired with the richer meat courses, this Spanish red was low in tannins, making it smooth and easy to drink. Lush notes of plum and gentle oak came through, adding depth without overpowering
Our Overall Experience At Materia
DesignMyNight Review Out Of 5: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Immersive and playful, Victor Garvey made sure we were living in a MATER1A world. I found the dining experience to be very ambitious, with the tone set from the outset in the ingredient exhibition tunnel. It was clear that other diners were just as enthused, drawn in by the creativity of each plate. The staff were exceptional, guiding us through every detail with clarity and genuine enthusiasm, and were always happy to dig deeper when asked. The price point reflects its exclusivity, and the atmosphere more than justifies it. MATER1A isn’t an everyday dining destination; this is a mad scientist’s culinary dream, executed with precision.
