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Jason Atherton’s Japanese flavour in the heart of the Square Mile
On level 24 of Tower 42, Jason Atherton’s City outpost has a Japanese-influenced menu (his full-blown izakaya Sosharu opened in Clerkenwell earlier this year) as well as a Michelin star, and is one for businessmen out to impress. There’s a raw section – oysters, Yellow Fin, scallops – and interesting dishes such as cod with ponzu, bok choi, miso aioli and seaweed. The cocktails are named after surrounding landmarks (Tate Modern, London Eye) and the food menu is traditional; think shepherd’s pie and fish ‘n’ chips.
Address: City Social, Level 24, Tower 42, 25 Old Broad Street, The City, London EC2
Telephone: +44 20 7877 7703
Website: citysociallondon.com
GALVIN AT WINDOWS
Great-value Michelin-starred French food on Mayfair’s Park Lane
Bizarrely there’s a shortage of decent restaurants with a decent view of Hyde Park. Galvin at Windows on Park Lane blows the few that there are out of the water with its 360-degree panorama of London – from Hampstead in the north to Battersea Power Station south of the river. Occupying the 28th floor of the Hilton hotel, chef-patron Chris Galvin’s restaurant also has a Michelin star. In the kitchen, head chef Joo Won takes inspiration from French haute cuisine (he’s Cordon Bleu-trained) and makes it more accessible, with a dedicated kids’ menu and a two-course set lunch – a steal at £10.
Address: Galvin at Windows, London Hilton on Park Lane, 22 Park Lane, Mayfair, London W1
Telephone: +44 20 7208 4021
Website: galvinatwindows.com
DARWIN BRASSERIE AT SKY GARDEN
Getting into the City’s new 20 Fenchurch Street, known as the Walkie Talkie for its top-heavy shape, is a bit like going through airport security (bag scan, no sharp objects, ID check). Once you’re in, it’s a zippy lift ride up to the top floor Sky Garden, a massive temperature-controlled terrarium which mimics the seasons. Inside there’s a tree-filled bar and steps leading up to two self-contained restaurants. Of the restaurants, Darwin Brasserie has the better view and is the more laid-back; the menu includes British ingredients and classic dishes like Angus steak with bacon and French fries, confit shoulder of lamb with mint and Jersey royals, and garden pea risotto.
Address: Sky Garden, 1 Sky Garden Walk, The City, London EC3
Telephone: +44 333 772 0020
Website: skygarden.london
HUTONG AT THE SHARD
Fine Chinese food inside London’s tallest building
What the London outpost of Hutong lacks in theatrics (the Hong Kong original has a noodle-pulling show), it makes up for in setting – half-way up the gigantic glass-walled Shard. It’s not quite as high as Shangri-La’s TĪNG restaurant, two floors up on level 52, but that just means you might actually get a table on a clear-sky day. It’s dark and moody inside which only makes London at night more alluring, too. The menu goes beyond dim sum and Peking duck – although both are excellent – with more pages than we’d care to count. You can’t go wrong with the signature dishes: prawn dumplings, crispy beef tenderloin and poached monkfish in lamb broth.
Address: Hutong, Level 33 The Shard, 31 St Thomas Street, London Bridge, London SE1
Telephone: +44 20 3011 1257
Website: hutong.co.uk
THE SWAN AT THE GLOBE
Modern British food on the River Thames
There’s no lovelier place to eat before a performance at Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre than right next door. If you’re not watching a play, book a table mid-performance when it’s quieter, and you’re more likely to nab a spot in the rooftop beer garden. Wherever you are, the view of St Paul’s Cathedral on the other side of the Thames is unparalleled. For a nose at the basement kitchen, peer through the windows on South Bank to see great pots of bubbling stews and chefs putting the final touches on hearty dishes such as lamb rump with caremelised onion and shallot, cheeses from around the UK and summery deserts like basil infused meringue with raspberry coulis. What better way to choose what to order?
Address: The Swan at The Globe, 21 New Globe Walk, Bankside, London SE1
Telephone: +44 20 7928 9444
Website: swanlondon.co.uk
Veuve Clicquot ‘Brosé’ Terrace at Selfridges
Selfridges scores a hat-trick with summer sports, rosé on tap and finger-licking food
One of Oxford Street’s greatest secrets: the rooftop of Selfridges (above) transforms like a butterfly with each season. This summer, Veuve Clicquot has stepped up to the plate to celebrate 200 years of rosé and a summer of sport, with big screens showing major events such as the World Cup and Wimbledon. The open air terrace whisks you away from the madness of London’s busiest street, where you can order a bottle of the good stuff and indulge in a menu that includes miniature burgers, parmesan-topped truffle fries and charcuterie boards for sharing. After all, watching sport really does work up an appetite…
Address: Veuve Clicquot ‘Brosé on the roof’, 9th floor, Selfridges, 400 Oxford St, Marylebone, London W1A 1AB
Telephone: +44 20 7318 3287
Website: selfridges.com
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