The Delaunay is an all-day restaurant and bar in Covent Garden from The Wolseley Hospitality Group. While there are multiple dining options available at this grand establishment, from a luxurious breakfast to pre and post-theatre dining, The Counter is a relaxed bar and café serving European Alpine dishes, regional wines and beers and an exciting cocktail menu comprised of twists-on-a-classic.
The all-day menu is served from Tuesday to Saturday, between 11.30am and 8:30pm and focuses on comforting Alpine cuisine. It is currently best suited to lunch or dinner with breakfast options arriving in the near future. Dishes include tartes flambees, a specialty in Alsace, which sees a bread base topped with cheese, bacon and shallots. From the counter, guests can order a selection of cheeses and cured meats which are ordered by weight and served with a range of breads – baguette, sourdough and seeded. Further Alpine classics include a Viennese hot dog with melted onions and mustard, aubergine schnitzel with salsa verde (vegan) and ‘tartiflette’ of Reblochon cheese with lardons, new potatoes and onion. Of course, there’s fondue up for grabs, too, as well as desserts such as apple strudel and sachertorte. This isn’t food for the faint-hearted (or lactose-intolerant).
To drink, try one of the cocktails created by bar manager Alessandro Mannello, including the Mezcal Negroni (mezcal, campari, martini rosso) or the Pink Grapefruit Spritz (belsazar rosé, elderflower, grapefruit soda). Meanwhile, a selection of classic Steigl beers are available on tap (served by the litre or half litre) along with a curated wine list of 18 wines by the glass.
In terms of the setting, expect plenty of wooden surfaces and a supremely cosy vibe, with little lamps on every table, black and white photography on the walls and an overall traditional feel.
The Counter operates on a walk-in basis and doesn’t accept reservations.