Emyr's Reviews

Clerkenwell has its share of gastropubs, but The Peasant remains one of the best. The downstairs bar area is full of character, serving a long list of ales and beers, with plenty of room for both drinkers and diners. The upstairs dining room is relaxed and airy, ideal for long lunches with the family.

The Dean Street Townhouse is a new boutique hotel and dining room from the Soho House Group. The restaurant service classic British cuisine from first thing in the morning until the early hours and already feels like a Soho institution.

An ideal way to end a weekend is with a Sunday evening dinner at Scott’s. From the moment the doorman wearing a bowler hat greets and escorts you into the dining room and you see the fabulously ornate oyster bar, you know you’re in for a treat, and the food, service and ambience deliver just that. Scott’s is glamorous, exciting and a place ‘to see and be seen’.

Serving fine Italian food from first thing in the morning until the early hours, Cecconi’s is an excellent lunch spot to break up a day’s shopping on nearby Bond Street. Cecconi’s is fun and glamorous, with a real buzz about the place – and Prosecco on tap is never a bad thing.

The Library Bar at The Lanesborough hotel is a perfect place to relax with a drink to the sound of the grand piano – immerse yourself in the memory of an almost forgotten era of refinement and sophistication. It may be expensive, but it's worth it.

The Modern Pantry sits quietly in a lovely little square in EC1, hidden amongst Clerkenwell's bars and restaurants. The white decor is clean and fresh but the lighting is a little too bright for my liking. We were fortunate to have been placed at our own 4 seat table, rather than the communal table that stretched through the restaurant.

We were all thoroughly impressed with everything that we ordered – the starter of grilled aubergine had a delightfully light soy glaze and the miso marinated stake was tender and succulent.

Service was generally quite pleasant and efficient. I did, however, have a little issue with the waitress asking me how I wanted my steak cooked only to tell me that I couldn't have it cooked that way as the chef had his / her own view. Don't ask me for my preference if I can't have it!

We ate in the downstairs 'cafe' as the main restaurant had not yet opened. I would suggest investing in better sound insulation as it was very loud when at full capacity.

In short, a lovely little place for a post work dinner with friends. Good food and very reasonably priced.

Date: Friday 12 September 2008