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Best for: healthy menu, innovative puds

Great: West End location (near Theatreland), buzzy atmosphere.

My sister asked me recently if I missed Manchester. I went to university there and fully immersed myself in the Mancunian way of life (scoffing chips ‘un gravy, WAG-spotting on King Street, enjoying the 50p rides on the Magic Bus). When I graduated and moved to London six years ago I vowed I’d always move back up north, because in addition to my love of the UK’s second city, London was just too expensive, and, well, unfriendly.

Fast-forward to my sister’s kitchen in Preston and I hesitated for a long time before I could answer. My heart started to beat faster. My sister looked at me curiously. ‘Erm, hmm, huh, well, ermmmmm,’ I pondered, guiltily. ‘I actually haven’t thought about Manchester for a while, so that must mean,’ (deep breath) ‘that, er, I don’t miss Manchester anymore.’

My loyalty switch from the grim north (sorry, I always said I would never use that term) to swinging London has been a gradual one, peppered with small epiphanies, finally culminating in that dramatic announcement in a messy family kitchen in neutral Preston.

I actually had a mini ‘I LOVE LONDON SO MUCH!’ moment just days before. I was sat in an armchair in Indigo, One Aldwych, in the West End. Three enormous windows revealed theatregoers waiting to see The Lion King and Londoners enjoying a stroll around Covent Garden, whilst red double-decker buses sailed past.

The restaurant is on the mezzanine level of a hotel, with a view of the beautiful lobby bar below. Happy, slightly tipsy conversations drifted upwards and my friend and I felt like we were right in the centre of the capital, feeling the cool buzz of exciting London, comfortably cocooned above the noise in our armchairs.

We were on a high as soon as we sat down: brilliant venue and brilliantly helpful, polite staff (and friendly too! Take that Manchester!). The décor is classy: white linen tablecloths; cosy alcoves; and stunning flower arrangements. Would the food live up to our expectations or would it burst the ‘I heart London’ bubble that was quickly taking shape?

Indigo claims that it serves a wide range of healthy dishes with ‘create your own salads’ taking up a chunk of the menu. I chose an equally healthy tomato consommé to start, although couldn’t resist sampling all four of the different breads that were brought round by the waitress too. The consommé was a success: vibrant, fragrant and refreshing. My friend’s baby squid with chorizo starter was a delight too, a small portion well presented with delicious flavours.

The trio of Suffolk pork, served with polenta and sprouting broccoli was the highlight of the evening though. In a word: exquisite. A beautifully balanced dish, it was actually more of a quartet as a juicy sphere of sausage with apple sauce had snuck in as well.

The dessert menu revealed a more experimental side to Indigo: treacle tart with goats cheese ice-cream and lime syrup; coriander marinated pineapple with mandarin sorbet and mint tuille. The former was interesting; the treacle tart was great, all crisp pastry, burnt sugar and a hint of ginger. I expected the ice cream to be subtle but about five foot from the table my nose started twitching as the waitress brought the desserts over in a haze of goats cheese aroma.

Normally, experimental cuisine is like Marmite; you love it or hate it. But I decided that I sort of liked it. I enjoyed the tart ‘avec la glace de fromage de chèvres’ but I admit that I preferred the tart ‘sans glace de fromage de chèvres’.

Well done to the chef who concocted the dish, though; it was a brave move, and a welcome change from those so-called experimental desserts (strawberries with basil, I’m looking at you) that are now ubiquitous, and frankly not that experimental at all.

My friend and I leaned back in our soft burnt orange armchairs, a glass of Chablis in hand, our bellies full of succulent pork and novel puddings. We watched the red buses sailing by and the beautiful people laughing and chattering at the bar below. You know what’s coming, don’t you? We looked at each other and sighed. London is just the best. How we could we live somewhere that doesn’t have a ridiculous number of theatres? Somewhere that doesn’t have bright red buses? Somewhere that doesn’t have such elegant restaurants. London, we love you.

Reviewed by Ruth Emery

DESCRIPTION: A relaxed and informal restaurant overlooking the bustling Lobby Bar of the award-winning One Aldwych Hotel in Covent Garden, Indigo offers diners a creative and contemporary European menu in a splendid setting for laid-back meals with friends and family. Full of light and healthy dining options, Indigo's menu highlights only the freshest organic produce. Start with the seared diver scallops or marinated beetroot and goats cheese salad, before enjoying one of the main courses such as braised shortrib of beef or poached Loch Duart salmon. You can also create your own salad from a variety of crisp, juicy ingredients before indulging in the range of decadent desserts including homemade treacle tart. Pre and post-theatre dinner menus are available and the weekend brunch is particularly popular, so it is advised you book ahead to avoid disappointment. At 2 courses for £15, 3 courses for £20 and unlimited Prosecco for £12 its popularity isn't surprising!

Opening Times:
Breakfast 6:30am – 11am (every day)
Lunch 12pm – 3pm (Mo-Fri)
Brunch 12.30pm – 3pm (Sat/Sun)
Afternoon tea 2:30pm- 4:30pm (Sat only)
Dinner 5:30pm – 11:15pm (Mo-Sat)
Dinner 5:30pm – 10:30pm (Sun only) (Updated 18/01/2012)

Indigo Restaurant Opening Hours

Day	Hours	Day	Hours
Monday	12:00pm - 3:00pm 5:30pm - 11:00pm	Tuesday	12:00pm - 3:00pm 5:30pm - 11:00pm
Wednesday	12:00pm - 3:00pm 5:30pm - 11:00pm	Thursday	12:00pm - 3:00pm 5:30pm - 11:00pm
Friday	12:00pm - 3:00pm 5:30pm - 11:00pm	Saturday	12:30pm - 3:00pm 5:30pm - 11:00pm
Sunday	12:30pm - 3:00pm 5:30pm - 10:15pm

Customer Reviews for Indigo Restaurant

“Was looking for a restaurant to have some pre theatre food and Indigo was perfect. Couldn't recommend it highly enough.”
Rating: — Ms Diane, London (10 Feb 2011)

“Exquisite cuisine and service. Perfect for pre or post theatre dinning.”
Rating: — Stephanie, London (18 Jan 2011)

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