The Lady's Restaurant Recommendations: 'Smiths' of Smithfield
Where: 67-77 Charterhouse St, Clerkenwell, London EC1M 6HJ
Why: In short it's a brunch speciality! If you love a long relaxing dining experience then this is the perfect place to indulge. It has an abundance of space with elegant outside seating area as well as a large bar and mezzanine, providing a luxury chic eating and drinking den. When MasterChef presenter and chef John Torode opened Smiths of Smithfield nearly twenty years ago, this behemoth of a space was a game-changer. Fast forward to 2018 and this Farringdon landmark has been given a new lease of life post an extensive refurbishment. The four-floor Grade II listed emporium boasts new bars and restaurants, with each level providing a different dining and drinking experience to suit a myriad of occasions. Featuring an all-day bar and eatery, luxe cocktail bar, classic British grill and a top end restaurant, ‘Smiths’ of Smithfield offers a unique dining and drinking experience.
The Menu: The menu, offering expertly executed dishes featuring the finest quality and, where possible, locally sourced, ingredients, showcases head chef Liam Walsh’s flair for creating elegant, refined dishes. Classic plates sit comfortably with more contemporary dishes with starters such as Markham Farm asparagus with slow-cooked duck egg, Jersey Royals and black truffle; octopus carpaccio served with grapes, smoked almond and whipped North Atlantic cod’s roe; and a trad gala pork pie with home beer-pickled vegetables and piccalilli. Generous mains feature the likes of Hampshire lamb belly, crispy sweetbreads, grilled gem lettuce, buttermilk and ewe’s cheese; and Laverstoke Park mozzarella, violet artichokes, charred courgette, wild garlic and morels whilst the star of the show is a sharing Scotch beef Wellington with spring greens.
Highlight: If it's sunny, definitely sit outside and watch the world go by. Try the avocado and soft poached egg on toast on sourdough bread. Be extra naughty and follow it up with pancakes, berries and chantilly cream followed by a passionfruit Martini- delicious!
www.smithsofsmithfield.co.uk
020 7251 7950
