City, British, Modern Restaurant Guide

“Unpretentious, relaxed and with a wide choice of wines and small plates” – with the latter “nicely judged to complement wines” – plus “enthusiastic and knowledgeable service” win particular praise for the Battersea original of this small group, and also its EC4 spin-off “hidden away and almost under the crypt of St Bride’s Church”. Last year, a further outlet also opened in Islington (no reports yet), and in 2018 a new City branch opened near Liverpool Street. Top Tip: “Monday nights is the time to go as wine is sold at retail price”.

“Unpretentious, relaxed and with a wide choice of wines and small plates” – with the latter “nicely judged to complement wines” – plus “enthusiastic and knowledgeable service” win particular praise for the Battersea original of this small group, and also its EC4 spin-off “hidden away and almost under the crypt of St Bride’s Church”. Last year, a further outlet also opened in Islington (no reports yet), and in 2018 a new City branch opened near Liverpool Street. Top Tip: “Monday nights is the time to go as wine is sold at retail price”.

“The view – ground-level to zenith – is breathtaking”, sitting on the 39th-floor of this London landmark: “go if you need to impress, especially an out-of-towner”. And – though “security to enter is (understandably) Draconian” – all-in-all performance defies the usual rules about rooms-with-a-view: it’s “so uplifting to combine great vistas with very competent standards”. Until recent times, entry was restricted to employees within the building, but the caterers rebranded and relaunched the space (fka ‘Searcys at The Gherkin’) in summer 2018, and it’s now open to all (including the top-floor ‘Iris’ bar).

“The lift up is a little scary” (in a good way), but the payoff is the “breathtaking view” from this “trendy-but-tasteful” venue on the 40th floor of the Heron Tower (adjacent to Sushisamba): a natural choice both for a business or romantic occasion. Most – but not all – reporters feel its slightly wacky menu (the restaurant being named for its signature dish) is “well conceived” and – aided by the fact that it’s open 24/7 – the place is particularly popular for its “sophisticated and interesting breakfast dishes”.