1 Lombard Street Brasserie, City of London (Bar / Restaurant) Fluid Style (London) review

Best for: immaculate service, traditional bank hall dining area, succulent veal chop and zucchini.

Great: extensive wine selection.

Ding ding ding! Stock Exchange neighbourhood in The City and the excitement continues well into the evening. Welcome to 1 Lombard Street; the heart and soul of the Stock Exchange, bringing together Bank, Poultry, and Threadneedle Street. So, who wants to be treated to a five star meal? The day is over, but numbers can still be discussed. The wonderful surroundings make me think of the share prices of this restaurant. It’s going to be a fast moving two hours….

7.30pm: My Financial Times and fiancé at the ready, I enter 1 Lombard Street, which feels similar to going into a bank. The three-step entrance into a larger hall, and short walk down to the main brasserie, lend a lot to the eye. We sit at a prime booth table spot, the glistening dome skylight above the evening bar stares back. Large floor-to-ceiling pillars and window arrangements punctuate the room, almost doubling the stock and space diners would experience in other restaurants. The skylight is outstanding and it’s almost a shame that we are losing light. Should make a fantastic lunch table, but it doesn’t lose much stock in the evening either.

7.35pm: No time to lose and the manager, Fabian, brings over the menus. Originally from France, this guy knows his food and wine, raising the stakes in both my mind and palate. He makes some suggestions from the eight-part food menu and then leaves his colleagues to usher in the five star service. First, the waiter brings over a mixed bread and butter basket. The second waiter brings over some sparkling water. The third waiter brings over some sweet potato and rosemary soup (in a small espresso cup), whist Fabian brings over the first lot of wine for the evening. Team Lombard: five star service in a nutshell. Their stock just went up ten points.

7.50pm: The profitable service continues as the starters arrive en masse with food advisers full of explanations. The crab/prawn avocado salad, and duck and liver terrine, are simply melt-in-the-mouth and the chef sends over some complimentary scallops to help our assessment of the menu further. A little chewy, perhaps overcooked, but despite chef taking this small risk, the starters raise the interest rates as the taste buds seem satisfied, and hungry for more.

8.20pm: Whilst we wait for the mains, the brasserie starts to fill up. To help avert any potential noise crisis, secluded booths offer intimate and quieter experiences for couples and business dinners. Over at the bar, bankers can be seen loosening their ties and letting their hair down after a day at the office. The whole room has a very chilled atmosphere with chat and low level music to suit a conservative investment of diners.

8.30pm: The mains arrive at the table: veal chop with zucchini, and seafood-chorizo risotto taking centre stage. Fabian presents the wine that complements both dishes and his knowledge in wine. Although a little smaller than average plates, both fill our stomachs without a problem. I start to wonder whether I’ve left room for dessert. A spot of quantitative easing might be needed.

8.55pm: Reaching the home stretch part of the evening, I notice a row of clocks to the left of the bar. Fabian enlightens us about the original London Stock Exchange clocks. Sitting proudly on the wall, they date back to 1971, representing different time zones around the World. The pieces have city names under each of them and Fabian confirms that they can still be wound up and set up as working clocks. An auction at the end of September saw money being raised for Cancer Research UK, a charity which the restaurant strongly supports. A soaring fifty point increase just took place.

9.30pm: Almost time to venture off but not before traditional French desserts are analysed. One chocolate fondant and one fruit sorbet later and the meal has fully matured. It’s been a food stock day for Lombard Street with their five star service, exquisite cuisine and insight into Stock Exchange past. It’s been a thoroughly enjoyable meal but now it’s time to leave the numbers and the napkins behind, head home to digest and leave the experts to the financial side of running the country.

Reviewed by Naheen Madarbarkus

DESCRIPTION:
Part fine dining restaurant, part cocktail bar, part brasserie, in the heart of the City of London.

The Fine Dining section of 1 Lombard Street restaurant is situated behind the Brasserie and is the focus of 1 Lombard Street's central theme. The concept, encompassing the luxurious menu, wine list and decor is inspired by Titian's masterpiece 'Rape of Europa'. Enthusiasts of haute cuisine will discover a more formal dining environment, which provides a tranquil setting for a stunning combination of food and wine.

Evenings have a unique atmosphere in the bar, with an unrivalled selection of Cocktails and champagne. Authentic Tapas and Oriental bites can be enjoyed at the bar and surrounding intimate booths. This trendy City haunt is perfect for a drink after work where guests can relax with occasional live music.

The brasserie is located in the former banking hall where its Grade II listed neo-classical interior with domed skylights by Pietro Agostini provides one of the the most stunning settings in London. A full a la carte menu and seasonal specialities are available for lunch and dinner throughout the day along with an extensive and international wine list. (Updated 29/06/2011)

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