Harden's survey result
Summary
This avowedly ‘veggie-centric’ concept from Welsh chef Bryn Williams (of highly rated Odette’s in Primrose Hill) gives top billing to vegetables and fruit, although the menu still offers plenty for carnivores to chew on. It occupies the quirky chamber, right at the back of Somerset House with Thames views, that once housed The Admiralty (RIP) – an intriguing location, but also one smart enough for doing business. From a fair number of reports, there is mostly praise for dishes that are “beautifully prepared and served” – a “detox set lunch with no meat or fish in sight was really inspiring and exciting”.
Summary
Welsh chef, Bryn Williams (of Odette’s, in NW3 and in North Wales at Porth Eirias) makes a foray into a more central location, in a stately chamber within Somerset House. There’s nothing but praise for the “personable” service and “very imaginatively conceived and carefully prepared dishes”, but the way it promotes its ‘flexitarian’ credentials (putting fruit and veg front and centre) can grate – “the menu can seem irritating owing to placing the protein after the veg” and, more seriously, more than one veggie luncher has bizarrely encountered a set menu with no satisfactory veggie alternative (“unheard of in modern veg-friendly civilisation?”).
Bryn Williams at Somerset House Restaurant Diner Reviews
"Lovely relaxing place even pre Christmas. Food as good as my last visit over a year ago. Had a fire evacuation just as main courses being served. Staff coped well."
"A lovely environment to while away a friendly or romantic evening with ever dependable and enjoyable food, wine and service."
"A delightful lunch, with a well balanced menu. Lovely views over the Thames. Pity that the place is so quiet (at least at lunchtime), it deserves better."
"Very good indeed, and the emphasis on the veg is commendable. Bizarre though to have a set menu with just one starter (fish) and one main (duck)."
Prices
| Availability | 2 courses | 3 courses |  |
 |
 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lunch | £18.00 | £21.50 |  |
|
|
| Pretheatre | £18.00 | £21.50 | |
|
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Traditional European menu
| Starter | Main | Veggies | Pudding |
|---|---|---|---|
| £8.25 | £21.00 | £4.50 | £7.00 |
| Drinks |
|
|---|---|
| Wine per bottle | £24.00 |
| Filter Coffee | £2.95 |
| Extras |
|
|---|---|
| Bread | £3.25 |
| Service | 12.50% |
Somerset House, London, WC2R 1LA
Opening hours
| Monday | 12 pm‑3 pm, 6 pm‑10 pm |
| Tuesday | 12 pm‑3 pm, 6 pm‑10 pm |
| Wednesday | 12 pm‑3 pm, 6 pm‑10 pm |
| Thursday | 12 pm‑3 pm, 6 pm‑10 pm |
| Friday | 12 pm‑3 pm, 6 pm‑10 pm |
| Saturday | 10 am‑4 pm, 6 pm‑10 pm |
| Sunday | 10 am‑4 pm |
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