Tucked up behind the busy streets of the West End lies The Bloomsbury hotel, home to Dalloway Terrace, an elegant alfresco restaurant that in spring, turns into a beautiful English garden. Cascading bouquets of white and pink blooms set the backdrop for an unforgettable dining experience.
Led by General Manager, Gio, the team at Dalloway Terrace offer first class service with a smile. Whether you come for lunch, afternoon tea, a few cheeky cocktails or dinner, the uber professional staff make guests feel comfortable and impeccably attended.
The choice of menus is astounding. Pre-theatre menu, weekend brunch and vegan afternoon tea are just three of the 14 available (including drinks).
I visited with a friend for lunch on a sunny Friday so we chose from the All Day Dining menu. The place was buzzing with summer energy; the champagne and rosé were flowing and the food was being enjoyed at a holiday-like pace. Clearly stress is left at the door.
Gio immediately dissipated any of the stress I may have been carrying with me with a glass of Charles Heidsieck while I perused the menu and waited for my friend to arrive.
Two of the most popular mains at Dalloway Terrace: Roasted Salmon with potatoes, sea herbs, and wild garlic butter;
and Hand-cut Rigatoni Cacio e Pepe with crispy chicken and pecorino.
It was difficult for us to choose. The menu is cleverly seasonal and full of seductive dishes, such as Hand-Picked Devonshire Crab with black radish and brown crab brioche (seafood lover’s paradise) and Spring Pea Salad with chicory, endive, Ash Goat’s Cheese, broad beans, fennel, citrus, and shaved yellow beetroot (can a salad sound any more divine?).
After our bubbles, given the glorious weather and the pink theme on the terrace, we went for rosé, and Gio, once we had decided what to eat, recommended One Day, from the Mirabeau vineyards in Provence. This pale pink wine has a delicate nose of berries and citrus, and an elegant palate that reveals more red fruits and hint of pomegranate. It is well-balanced and a great match for seafood, perfect for the crab and for my main, Roasted Salmon with potatoes, sea herbs and wild garlic butter. That was a seriously good fish, rich and slightly sweet in flavour, very umami, and perfectly cooked.
Strawberry & Pistachio Trifle and Classic Chocolate Fondant with Brandy snap and salted caramel ice cream.
One Day also pairs great with lightly spicy food, such as the Moroccan-Style Roast Baby Chicken with chives, pan jus and preserved lemon aioli that my friend chose. It was juicy and full of flavour, with a just the right amount of spice, freshened by subtle citrus.
As two girls in the eve of bikini season, we bravely turn down dessert, but I hear that their Classic Chocolate Fondant served with a Brandy snap and salted caramel ice cream is to die for; and so is their ethereal Strawberry & Pistachio Trifle. I guess we’ll have to come back for pudding.
Author: Julia Pasarón
Dalloway Terrace at The Bloomsbury
16-22 Great Russell Street
London WC1B 3NN
Tel. +44 (0) 20 7347 1000
Book your table, HERE.
Fond of fine dining? You may also like to try the steakhouse Smith & Wollensky, the Japanese NIJŪ Mayfair, or the Paris-founded, Caviar Kaspia.
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