Review: 1776
Hidden away at the back of 1 Lombard Street, 1776 restaurants boasts some of the most stately-looking windows in the City. They stretch from floor to ceiling, streaming daylight on the wooden floorboards (new) and funky artwork (even newer). The room used to be a bank and it’s almost a shame that the tables haven’t remained heavy teller’s desks.
My friend and I visited this newly refurbished eatery for a mid-week dinner, so it was more a case of streetlight seeping through the windows, which was a tad less pretty. In order to reach the restaurant you have to walk through the Bistro: 1 Lombard Street’s less formal and far more raucous area which was brimming with large tables. 1776, which sported only one other couple and a trio of businessmen on the night we visited, seemed rather sedate by comparison.
Still, the menu soon had us excited. The wine list is on an iPad, which could seem rather gimmicky but actually is a lot of fun. It’s an enormous selection too, which is infinitely more entertaining to flick though on an interactive digital medium.
The food menu is presented on ordinary paper, but is no less impressive. It’s roughly British themed, with European influences, designed to satisfy the hungry City worker and impress his out-of-town clients. To start, we sampled the English snails and pancetta in a potato nest, and the asparagus and duck egg salad. The latter was more simple but the one which surpassed all expectations: the duck egg was boiled to runny-yolk perfection, which oozed down onto shredded al dente asparagus.
Alternatively it may be worth eschewing starters for a tartare course. We were hungry and greedy so went for both, and were delighted that we did. The smooth raw veal was prepared at our table with a host of mix-ins, and served with olive oil crackers. It was fragrant and rich and light all at the same time, and – as raw meat always does – makes you feel wonderfully cultured and daring while eating it.
Mains followed suit, with silkily-textured black cod, and lamb which was meltingly tender. To put a finer point on it, it was just all very good. These dishes are top quality ingredients prepared with top level skill and – presented with a lack of pretension – it makes for a very satisfying meal.
Like the wine list iPad, the dessert trolley is another slightly twee feature which nevertheless charms. The almond tart was especially delicious (buttery and sweet with a dense pastry base) and, if you ask nicely, they may even give you a second slice.
By the time you’ve polished off your after-dinner coffee you feel that actually, the folk in the Bistro are the ones missing out. This place will undoubtedly be more busy of a lunchtime but it’s worth making the most of the especially attentive service in the evening too. The food here is both elegant and excellent. Much like the windows, in fact.
www.1lombardstreet.com
My friend and I visited this newly refurbished eatery for a mid-week dinner, so it was more a case of streetlight seeping through the windows, which was a tad less pretty. In order to reach the restaurant you have to walk through the Bistro: 1 Lombard Street’s less formal and far more raucous area which was brimming with large tables. 1776, which sported only one other couple and a trio of businessmen on the night we visited, seemed rather sedate by comparison.
Still, the menu soon had us excited. The wine list is on an iPad, which could seem rather gimmicky but actually is a lot of fun. It’s an enormous selection too, which is infinitely more entertaining to flick though on an interactive digital medium.
The food menu is presented on ordinary paper, but is no less impressive. It’s roughly British themed, with European influences, designed to satisfy the hungry City worker and impress his out-of-town clients. To start, we sampled the English snails and pancetta in a potato nest, and the asparagus and duck egg salad. The latter was more simple but the one which surpassed all expectations: the duck egg was boiled to runny-yolk perfection, which oozed down onto shredded al dente asparagus.
Alternatively it may be worth eschewing starters for a tartare course. We were hungry and greedy so went for both, and were delighted that we did. The smooth raw veal was prepared at our table with a host of mix-ins, and served with olive oil crackers. It was fragrant and rich and light all at the same time, and – as raw meat always does – makes you feel wonderfully cultured and daring while eating it.
Mains followed suit, with silkily-textured black cod, and lamb which was meltingly tender. To put a finer point on it, it was just all very good. These dishes are top quality ingredients prepared with top level skill and – presented with a lack of pretension – it makes for a very satisfying meal.
Like the wine list iPad, the dessert trolley is another slightly twee feature which nevertheless charms. The almond tart was especially delicious (buttery and sweet with a dense pastry base) and, if you ask nicely, they may even give you a second slice.
By the time you’ve polished off your after-dinner coffee you feel that actually, the folk in the Bistro are the ones missing out. This place will undoubtedly be more busy of a lunchtime but it’s worth making the most of the especially attentive service in the evening too. The food here is both elegant and excellent. Much like the windows, in fact.
www.1lombardstreet.com