Azou

There aren't many affordable restaurants in the guide that are based in Hammersmith (where my current home is), but one has frequently caught my eye and it was on a sorry Wednesday afternoon that I decided to walk to partake in some North African cuisine at Azou.

Azou specialises in Algerian and Tunisian delicacies, and the low tables and plump fabrics hanging from the ceiling do a good job of transporting you out of London. From the get-go, Azou has the vibe of a family-run restaurant making earnest soul food. 

A huge lover of Hummus, I had to have the hummus with pita bread for starters, followed by the chicken djej tagine for the main course. The hummus was good, silky smooth with olive oil and parsley to give it some flavour, but there just wasn't a lot of it. I've had better elsewhere.

The tagine, on the other hand, was wonderful. The chicken was succulent and juicy, easily shreddable with a spoon, while the vegetables were tender and the tomato-based sauce rich and heavily spiced with cumin. This was a hearty, delicious main meal, one that I would urge visitors to Hammersmith to try. 

A note on the service: Now and again, there'll be small eateries like this one that feel like coming home. No matter the number of people booked in, the wait staff are incredibly welcoming, the owner enthusiastic about the food they serve and the hospitality they bestow. You won't be disappointed with a trip to Azou. 

Value for money? £35 for a drink, starter, Main, and side. Yes. 

Would I return? As it's right down the road, I probably will. Small places like this deserve custom.