During
my last girl’s dinner club, one of the team requested that we choose a
restaurant near to the station that she travels from. The only problem with
that is that there are relatively slim-pickings around that area that aren’t
either wallet-busting or fast food or that we haven’t been to before.
New Street Grill is part of the D&D London group of restaurants (formerly
Conran) and is situated on a little side street bordering Spitalfields Market, in
a converted warehouse considered to be the City's oldest surviving warehouse
built by the East India Company; The Old Bengal Warehouse. In the same
development there is also a bar, a wine shop and a fish restaurant.
While
we waited for everyone to arrive, we took a seat in the Old Bengal Bar attached
to the restaurant, but also with its own separate entrance. I loved it. The bar
was low-lit and the bare brick walls and exposed lights reminded you that you
were in a former warehouse. It is very trendy and the clientele were all young
Shoreditch types. I expected a few more City boys, but I don’t think I saw a single
suit in the bar. Although drinks were priced at City boy prices and we paid £11
for a single vodka and tonic. That aside, I thought it was a really vibey bar
and I’ll definitely be back to try out the amazing outside terrace when summer
finally decides to join us!
We
were taken through to the restaurant and I immediately fell in love with the
room. Big half-moon windows let the light flood in, beautiful parquet flooring and
a huge flower arrangement in the middle of the room to soften the look up. I
liked that we were seated at a round table, it makes for a much more sociable
evening where everyone can talk to everyone in the group.
The
wine list is extensive and quite pricey, but we opted for a carafe of Malbec at
a more reasonable £21.50, as not everyone in the group was drinking. A
huge trolley was rolled in with a few different loaves of bread on it that they
cut at your table, depending on your choice. It looked great, but to be honest
the bread wasn’t the freshest I have ever had and I wonder if it was because it
was out in the open like that.
To
start I had the Cream of Cauliflower soup with pinenuts and sultanas (£7.50).
The soup was creamy and rich, but I had to add a lot of salt to really make the
flavour pop. I liked the texture that the pinenuts added and I thought that the
sweetness that the sultanas brought to the dish was a really great idea.
The steak came as I had asked for it. Medium. The fat was nicely charred, but I found the meat a little chewy. The Heritage tomato salad was refreshing and I really enjoyed the flavours of the different tomatoes. We opted for creamed spinach over steamed and this was delicious, but a pretty small portion. I wish we’d ordered two. The chips were fat and crunchy and fluffy on the inside. As far as chips go, these were amongst the nicest I have had for a while.
I
was pretty satisfied after my meal so I didn’t order dessert.
Service
was a little slow at times, but everyone was friendly and happy to help. I
thought that having the waiting staff in white shirts and black trousers was a
little old fashioned and they didn’t fit in with the cool vibe going on next
door at the bar. Maybe that was the intention though. All in all, it was a
pretty pleasant experience. I still think that Hawksmoor do the best steaks in
London, but I will definitely be back to try the fish restaurant and have a few
drinks in the bar.
The
bill came to £225.28 which included 2 vodka & tonics, 1 carafe of wine, 1
dessert wine, 1 coffee and Tia Maria, 3 starters, 3 mains and 1 dessert. Service
was also included.
My
next meal is another new steak restaurant to hit the capital, but this one
aimed at the ladies market!
Until
we eat again!
New Street Grill
16a New Street, EC2M 4TR
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