Dalloway Terrace

The blurb

Regularly dubbed as the most Instagrammable restaurant in London, I have to say I’m very excited to see what all the buzz is about, and from the minute I step onto the terrace I understand; it is very aesthetically pleasing. The Bloomsbury based restaurant, aptly named after Virginia Woolf’s Mrs Dalloway, is situated in the actual terrace of the Bloomsbury Hotel, which has been adapted to make a thematic seasonal feast, both visually and literally. We’re here in the autumn, so we’re met with sweeping rows of golden leaves that cover the walls. As a life long lover of autumn country walks, halloween and a good old Sussex bonfire night, I feel a niggling nostalgia as we are immersed into this warm haven, particularly because I know it’s the closest I’ll get to any of those things this year (sigh.)

The style

There are oversized lanterns, fairy lights and fire heaters spread out along the terrace (though it’s a cold night, we are entirely toasty as a result) and the night sky is visible from the corner, reminding us that we’re safely tucked in.

The exceptional service is complimented by the waiters’ attire, which was quirky yet smart, some wearing waist coats and smart individual jackets with a nod to vintage, which I thought was a lovely touch.

The food and drink

The wine menu was vast and detailed, and we went for the Picpoul de Pinet, which was crispy and sweet. We moved on to a glass of Burgundy red when the mains arrived.

The menu is hearty and seasonal with a twist of glamour, with a twist on classic dishes like burger sliders, sashimi, risotto and even a Thai Green Curry.

To start we had a truffle, wild mushroom and mozzarella arancini. The arancini was unusually light, and when mixed with the creamy truffle sauce was utterly divine (I could have ordered two more portions if this and been happy for the evening.) We also had the buffalo burrata, which was perfectly creamy, with a generous helping of seasoned tomatoes. It came with seed crackers, which helped detract from the heaviness of the dish, but as a hardcore burrata fan, I didn’t need them.

For mains we went for the Angus rib eye and Hereford fillet steaks, with delicious Béarnaise and truffle fries (sensing a theme here.) The meat was perfectly cooked to medium rare, and it cut through like butter. The sauce was rich yet clean, with a tangy, fresh aftertaste. The dishes came with caramelised onion, which was not overpowering as it often can be, and a leaf garnish.

For dessert we had the chocolate fondant, which melted onto the plate like the M&S advert that every chocolate fondant aspires to melt like. It was nicely presented, with a gold sheen on top, a tart peach purée, passion fruit and a biscuit crumble.

We also had a creme brûlée, which was high in quality and a generous in portion size. It was room temperature, and I do prefer my creme brûlée to be colder, but delicious all the same. The fresh figs and raspberry were a lovely touch, but I couldn’t taste the Johnny Walker.

We finished the night with a very impressive cocktail, which came with a bubble that popped to unleash smoke. It was pure witchcraft, and I’d recommend it if you fancy a bit of a show, but having tried other cocktails in the Coral Room, I know there are a few more that I’d prefer for the taste.

The crowd

There were hipsters, young professionals, trendy post-work dinner outings, and stylish city slickers who look like they’ve just walked off the set of an Instagram lifestyle shoot.

In a nutshell

The decor is gorgeous and the food is hearty and perfect for the season, maybe a little simple when compared to the rest of the hotel’s credentials, but it’s exactly what you’d want on a cold winter’s night, and there’s something available for every taste. It’s not just a restaurant, it’s an experience, and for that I’d recommend Dalloway Terrace highly.

The details

16-22 Great Russell St, Bloomsbury, London WC1B 3NN
info@dallowayterrace.com

www.dallowayterrace.com

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