Breaking news
February 2022: this much-loved spot on Warren Street is closing down after 10 years following the landlord’s refusal to extend its lease. No word yet on whether they are moving the operation elsewhere.
Harden's survey result
Summary
“Warren Street’s loss is Bloomsbury’s gain as Honey & Co sets up in Lamb’s Conduit St on the former site of Cigala (RIP)”, bringing with it the “interesting” middle Eastern cuisine (“lots of choice for vegetarians”) that has won TV appearances and recipe-book deals for husband and wife, Sarit Packer and Itamar Srulovich. But while this 2022 newcomer is “a good addition to WC1”, it “is now a proper and comparatively large restaurant compared to its former location and has lost its ‘special’ ambience”. And for a few regulars, this disappointment extends to the food too (“not a patch on the original… it was packed solid so others may disagree, but we felt they’re now just cashing in on their previous good name”).
Summary
After 10 years in which they helped establish modern Israeli cuisine as a new London staple, Sarit Packer and Itamar Srulovich (husband and wife) have relocated their much-loved venue from Warren Street to a much better Bloomsbury site that’s double the size of the bijou original (the corner site that was formally Cigala, RIP). In its old home, fans were happy to be shoehorned in tighter than sardines for their “stellar” mezze-style inventions. Not everyone felt its performance always matched the hype, though, so we’ve left it unrated till after it’s settled in here. But The Guardian’s Grace Dent was impressed in a late July 2022 review, saying: “it’s a little different now, perhaps more grown-up and formal, but the old loveliness is there in spades”.
Summary
“Fascinating Levantine cooking, of exceptional tastiness” established Sarit Packer and Itamar Srulovich’s little café near Warren Street tube as a leader on the capital’s Middle Eastern food scene when it opened 10 years ago. Marks have slipped as the excitement of the new has dissipated, but comments are still overwhelmingly positive, whether for “delightful vegetarian dishes (and I’m a meat-eater)” or “out-of-this-world cheesecake”. Home-delivery food boxes have also been a hit in the last year. The Honey and Spice deli and Honey and Smoke grillhouse (see also) are both a short walk away.
Summary
“No duds on the fabulous menu” at Sarit Packer and Itamar Sruolovich’s “small-but-perfectly-formed” café, near Warren Street tube, where plate-lickingly-yummy Middle Eastern dishes (and you MUST leave space for a cake afterwards) are “made with love and served with a smile”. It’s “always very busy”, though, and you need to shoehorn yourself into some of the seats.
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Have you eaten at Honey & Co?
54 Lamb’s Conduit Street, London, WC1N 3LW
Restaurant details
Honey & Co Restaurant Diner Reviews
"Brilliant food. Short menu, my slow cooked lamb was smooth, tender and tasty, the stuffed aubergines were a flavour and texture sensation and the bread a olive oil wonderful "
"This was our first time visiting Honey and Co and it turned out to be a very good experience. This stylish , modern restaurant serves amazing Middle Eastern food that will leave your palate dancing with joy. There is also a lovely friendly atmosphere which is generated from the staff who look after you from the moment you arrive until you depart. The restaurant is situated on Lamb’s Conduit Street a buzzy little area in between Chancery Lane and Russell Square tube stations. We entered and received a nice welcome before being seated at our table. Once comfortable we took a look around where you could see the restaurant was separated into sections and the tables were nicely spaced apart. There was also tables around the outside and counter dining inside for walk ins. We then looked at the menu which is set out in small and large plates plus a separate dessert menu and gives you the freedom to choose what and how many dishes you want depending on how long you have or how hungry you are. There was also our choice which was the sharing menu where you had a Meze selection to share , a choice of a main course and a dessert. This was priced at only £55 per person and was not hard to see why it was very popular on the day. To accompany our food we ordered a fabulous Thymiopoulos Rose de Xinomavro 2021 from Greece with its orange/rosé colour and light strawberry notes was an absolute delight. We started with a Meze to share. This was a selection of all the small plates. This is a great idea as you don’t feel light your missing out on something and gives you the chance to choose your favourite when you return. The flavours of each little dish were amazing and you really felt like you were in the Middle East. Bread selection – pitta, milk bun, sesame bread & Greek olive oil Snack plate – house pickles, herby bureka, olives, crudites & tahini Creamy hummus, marinated chilli garlic chickpeas, pitta Aubergine & tomato salad, red onion, fresh herbs & chilli Luxor style falafel with lemony cabbage & parsley salad, tahini Labaneh, fried artichokes, pine nuts & sumac ?Spring salad – asparagus, broad beans, dill, lemon saffron dressing & dukkah. ( see pic below ). We then moved onto the main course where you had to choose one dish each. My wife opted for the Balkan Kofta - beef and kashkaval cheese kofta with peppers , tomatoes and garlic yoghurt. For myself I went for the Chicken marinated in sweet garlic , feta cream , pea and fennel salad that I have to say with hand on heart was absolutely stunning and I would defy anyone to better it. The Kofta was also amazing. We then moved on to Dessert where the waitress explained that a lot of people can’t manage one so they price the sharing menu with or without dessert. This wasn’t going to be a problem for us so we ordered the Warm Apricot and Hazelnut Cake and the Feta and Honey Cheesecake with a kadaif pastry base. These desserts were absolute heaven and a fantastic way to finish an excellent dining experience. We finished with a coffee to bring to an end a fabulous lunch of exquisite middle eastern food. This was matched by excellent friendly service that made our whole experience one to remember and to be honest I really can’t wait to return. So yes I would highly recommend a visit even if you’re passing by and don’t have much time because believe once you try their food you will be back. Thank You all for a fabulous lunch and look forward to seeing you all again soon."
"A pleasant but not exceptional meal"
Prices
| Availability | 2 courses | 3 courses |  |
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lunch | £50.00 | £55.00 |  |
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| Dinner | £50.00 | £55.00 | |
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| Brunch | £26.50 | |
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Traditional European menu
| Starter | Main | Pudding |
|---|---|---|
| £13.50 | £24.00 | £9.50 |
| Drinks |
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|---|---|
| Wine per bottle | £29.00 |
| Filter Coffee | £3.00 |
| Extras |
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|---|---|
| Service | 10.00% |
54 Lamb’s Conduit Street, London, WC1N 3LW
Opening hours
| Monday | 5 pm‑10:30 pm |
| Tuesday | 8 am‑10:30 pm |
| Wednesday | 8 am‑10:30 pm |
| Thursday | 8 am‑10:30 pm |
| Friday | 8 am‑10:30 pm |
| Saturday | 8 am‑10:30 pm |
| Sunday | CLOSED |
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