London Carriage Works

Since consolidating & dovetailing its fine dining restaurant & brasserie, the smart, casual London Carriage Works, set in the fashionable Hope Street Hotel, feels like a more focused operation. The pared-back interior has an easy-going, contemporary feel with its sweeping glass frontage, exposed brickwork & chunky oak flooring, & it helps that tables have not been crammed into the spacious dining room. This resolutely understated approach carries through to the pleasant but laidback service and the modern international menu. Well-judged dishes include a terrine featuring slivers of potatoes, leek & manchego encased in salty prosciutto, while moist Whitchurch free-range chicken breast with spaghetti root vegetables demonstrates a light touch – perhaps a little too delicate with the seasoning. That said, it’s a confident operation, & prices are very reasonable for this level of cooking. The spacious room works well for larger groups.