Inside

A friend of mine says that Inside provides the best food in the Greenwich and Blackheath area, and as we chat al ot about food and eating out; I value her opinion. The chef Guy Awford has a very good blog with some interesting thoughts and recipes which tempted me to pay a visit to Inside.

The front of house lady was very charming and gave me a ring to confirm my reservation which always instils confidence. The service was always excellent and the dining room sophisticated. In an era when restaurants are so often bare tabled and hard floored, the traditional white linen set with a modern table setting added something different. People have mentioned the dining room as lacking in atmosphere, but we found that it simmered warmly.

The real reason we visited, as one would expect, was for the eating. The set menu had some tantilising prospects. Taglietelle as a starter, Italian style, was dainty and decadent with the truffle oil and chanterelle mushrooms. Prawns skewers with seasame seeds were beautiful and served on a rectangular plate. They were made all the more interesting by the coriander stem and brought alive by a chilli and ginger dressing. Main course was a sweet potato gratin on a bed of beautifully cooked spinach and pastry. It was well cooked and tasty but I have one gripe; lentils. As someone who doesn't eat meat, I do cringe a little at the presence of lentils in a vegetarian main course, it strikes me as a little predictable. It was still enjoyable and I didnt need any encouragement to finish my plate like a good boy! My wife had pheasant which was flavoursome and the cabbage was given some punch by salty lardons.

Desserts were executed well. A warm white chocolate brownie with vanilla was enjoyed and plum and a apple crumble was delciously morish. A beautiful bottle of Barolo washed the meal down.

So, is it the best food in the area? I have already thanked my friend for the tip! A return visit is a definite and next I'd like to try Guy's recently openned eaterie, the Guildford Arms.

We celebrated my husband's 50th birthday at Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons last year… fantastic meal could not fault it. Just returned from overnight stay in Greenwich where we had an equally delicious lunch at Inside for a fraction of the price! We would agree that the atmosphere is a bit stark but the food and service was outstanding. The asparagus & stilton tart was melt in the mouth… definitely freshly prepared. All the food was beautifully presented, flavour combinations just yummy…we just keep telling ourselves ‘ what a great lunch’. Also it is worth mentioning how reasonable the cost of the drinks were.. kir royale £9 & a bottle of very nice chilean sauvingnon blanc £20.

Thanks Inside.. we look forward to next visit!

14th May 2011

Good food all round, really tasty and enjoyable but restaurant let down by front of house staff. No care to attention from waitress staff, had to ask to place order for food and wine after 15 minutes of being seated. Wine was not poured for us and we had to ask for another bottle. The starter was a long time coming also, over 25 minutes from ordering.
Maybe it was just the night we went there but absolutely no atmosphere in restaurant despite it being busy. Real shame as the food was good.