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April 2019: Brazilian-born Cleverson Cordeiro (formerly of Maze) has been recruited as head chef at the Covent Garden flagship.
Harden's says
MasterChef finalist and Bright Young Thing Adam Handling rolled out his Frog brand after just six months in E1; the new restaurant opens all day from breakfast and has an (almost mandatory these days) open-plan kitchen, large private dining room and a speakeasy-style basement bar with its own entrance.
Owner's description
Frog by Adam Handling, in Covent Garden opened in September 2017 and is Adam Handling’s flagship restaurant site. The restaurant has been heralded as a “smash hit” by the London Evening Standard and one of the “best restaurants in London right now” by Condé Nast Traveller. More recently, Frog by Adam Handling won ‘Best Newcomer Restaurant’ at the 2018 Food & Travel Reader Awards.
The dishes served at the restaurant showcase Adam’s deliciously recognisable cooking style, combining technical savvy with the freshest seasonal produce, to deliver an elevated experience. Using a range of seasonal ingredients to marry unique flavours, Adam creates consistently outstanding dishes, reaffirming his reputation as one of London’s finest chefs.
Tucked away under the restaurant, you will find Eve Bar, combining life's greatest impulsions - temptation, indulgence, hedonism - all homed in luxurious subterranean surroundings. With walls adorned with bespoke art pieces by the amazing artist JJ Adams, you’re invited to come and enjoy the best cocktails, atmosphere and experience London has to offer.
Restaurant details
The chef
A highly accomplished chef, Adam Handling brings his love of intense flavours and delicate techniques to his kitchen. His beautifully presented dishes start with careful sourcing of top quality, seasonal ingredients, prepared in a number of different, creative ways to enhance their inherent properties and deliver real depth of flavour and harmony.
Adam currently operates three restaurants, two bars, an entertainment venue, and a café.
Frog by Adam Handling Restaurant Diner Reviews
"Wines not available. Lamb dreadful. Pudding station. Wiping down table. Cocktails. Snax and starters. "
"Buzzing modern bistro feel, with modern comfort food feeling menus. One of the best value tasting menus in the country. "
"Mouth watering tasting menu has so many different dishes; some great hits like the lamb wellington, others near misses like the shredded celeriac; others a bit theatrical like the razor clams shrouded in liquid nitrogen. Overall it's an exciting gastronomic experience. Wine by the glass allows a range of accompaniments, but also drives up the cost of the experience."
"Fabulous ramble through the tasting menu, with touches of old-fashioned theatricality alongside some modern twists. Reminds me of the places I love most in Copenhagen. Service close to impeccable and food ranging between great and brilliant. Oh, and whoever made the pastry for the tiny but delectable crab tart is a genius pastry chef."
"My all time favourite restaurant! The food is absolutely delicious and the most friendly and helpful staff I've ever come across. Big things are coming for this place, for sure."
Harden's survey result
Summary
“A new star in London’s dining scene!” – Adam Handling’s “outstanding” year-old Covent Garden branch is proving just as big a smash hit as his E1 original (which, in mid 2018, moved to a new, 60-cover site on the corner of Hoxton Square, together with a bar and coffee shop). His “clever and delicious” British tapas feature “brilliant taste combinations” yet “without being prissy or overly expensive”; while the “chilled” atmosphere is “that so hard-to-achieve balance of professionalism with perfect relaxation and excitement”. Service, too, gets a big thumbs up: “top class and efficient but not obtrusive, and so friendly”. See also Belmond Cadogan Hotel.
Summary
“Bold British tapas, with interesting combinations, textures and flavours” goes down a storm at Adam Handling’s “superb newcomer” – an “echoey”, rather “Spartan” operation in Brick Lane’s Truman Brewery, where “you observe the fierce concentration of the chefs, who also serve you”; and which achieved top marks for food in spite of significant grumbling even from fans over its “unbelievably high bills”. He must be doing something right, as in September 2017 he’s already opened branch number two, in Covent Garden. Top Menu Tip – “the best mac ’n’ cheese in London”.
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Opening hours
| Monday | 12 pm-2 pm, 5:30 pm-10:30 pm |
| Tuesday | 12 pm-2 pm, 5:30 pm-10:30 pm |
| Wednesday | 12 pm-2 pm, 5:30 pm-10:30 pm |
| Thursday | 12 pm-2 pm, 5:30 pm-10:30 pm |
| Friday | 12 pm-2:30 pm, 5:30 pm-10:30 pm |
| Saturday | 12 pm-2:30 pm, 5:30 pm-10:30 pm |
| Sunday | 12 pm-2:30 pm, 5:30 pm-9 pm |
