Dining With The Stars – Natalie Lowe from Strictly Come Dancing

The gorgeous Natalie Lowe is most likely known for her role as one of the professional dancers on BBC’s hit show ‘Strictly Come Dancing’. Having appeared in the last two series she has built up a following of dedicated fans and has become a highly recognizable figure and personality in the world of dance.

Here she tells Design Restaurants exclusively about her love of food, cooking and reveals her favourite restaurants!

“I am extremely lucky when it comes to food –  there is nothing I won’t eat…. I love it all! Seafood, Italian, Japanese, Indian, Thai, Mexican, Korean, Spanish, Greek,  you name it, I’ll put it on my plate.! Oh and how could I forget I have a sweet tooth –  I love deserts and cakes. YUM!

I really am a workaholic and don’t get much time to enjoy nights out or get to try new places as often as I would like but I do have my favs when I’m home. I love cooking and my parents are amazing cooks. Dad is really experimental with foods, spices and herbs and he has a great feel for specialty dishes like stuffed squid tubes, Singapore chilli, crab salt and pepper calamari, spicy fish dishes –  you name it he will give anything a go. We have cook-offs when I am in Australia! We are forever in the kitchen, breakfast, lunch and dinner. Mum is more influenced around traditional dishes like and makes us curries, roasts, stir fries  and Italian dishes.

If I’m not ordering room service or cooking in my own kitchen you may find me at my top places below;

My top 5 special occasion restaurants are as follows:

1. Tsunami, (Japanese), Clapham

I love Japanese food and they do a lovely blackened cod, jumbo soft-shell crab, volcano chilli miso soup, beef dishes, coconut coated prawns oh and how could I forget, they do great cocktails.

2. San Carlo, (Italian), In Most Cities

They have a few locations and is somewhere our ‘Strictly’ cast flock to every time we are on tour as they stay open for us after a show. It’s great service the food is really fresh. They have amazing fish dishes, great wine selection, service is great and it seriously ticks off all the boxes for me. I think Liverpool, Manchester and Bristol are my top 3 locations.

3. Trinity, (Fine Dining), Clapham

This place is a real treat! What can I say, other than the food is to die for…. unusual location, a hidden gem….. fine dining! Amazing!

 4. Gaucho (Argentinian), Many Locations

London Bridge for an amazing view, Chelsea, Charlotte Street and the one in the West End are all fantastic. I love a steak and am quite fussy when it comes to cooking it right. I like it quite rare so I know I will get it exactly how I like it if I dine here. The fillet melts in your mouth guaranteed – a great meal every time…. yum!

5. The Oyster and Porter House – The Wright Brothers, Borough Market, London SE1

Unreal not just for the exceptionally fresh oysters (wasabi and natural are my favourite ones), they also have incredible gnocchi-  wow! They have an Italian chef who makes it and omg!! Not a fan normally but I loved it. It’s not a huge menu and they don’t stock a lot of wine but what they do have is really very nice. It has a relaxed communal seating arrangement.

6. Borough Food Market, London SE1

My one thing I love to do on my day off. Great little eateries and stalls around. I love nothing more than to wander around, there is  always so much to see and try, cheeses, chocolates, chutneys.  I enjoy buying lots of veggies and herbs etc but knowing I am really there to get a garlic prawn wrap or a gammon or pork wrap with lots of fillings. In the summer there is plenty of Pimms and in the winter lots of mulled wine with a great atmosphere. It is what you make of it – a must to try at least once. There are lots of great restaurants surrounding Borough Market if the food market doesn’t interest you and the embankment’s cobbled streets really adds to the experience (wear flat shoes!).

 7. Fresco (Mediterranean), London W2

They bottle a litre of any juice you like. I like this knowing it’s 100% fresh veggie and fruit juice and nothing else added to it. They make wonderful Mediterranean salads, so fresh and amazing with hummus and pomegranate with pitta. Great little healthy med cafe.

Busaba, (Thai), Chelsea

Lovely Thai food full of great flavours, this is my pit stop usually on my way home from the BBC after a night of filming ‘Strictly’. Great service, a wonderful menu, quick and easy. If you go early it is sometimes hard to get a seat.

9. Anchor and Hope (Roast), Waterloo

I love my roast and have never left here unhappy – always a happy customer and always very full and satisfied. You can’t beat a pub lunch.

10. Nobu (Japanese), London W1

I’ve only been there once but it was certainly one of my most memorable meals I have had since I’ve lived in the UK. Some really fancy and stunning dishes.

I hope your readers feel inspired by these choices and remember,

KEEEEEEEP DINING!

Find out about the new ‘Strictly Confidential’ Tour at strictlyconfidentialtour.com and more about Natalie and her up and coming events at natalielowe.com.

Natalie and all other Design Restaurant members receive a complimentary glass of champagne at Trinity and exclusive benefits at over 300 other top restaurants. Membership is available for £90 inc. per annum. Find out more at www.designrestaurants.com.