If you're looking for an atmospheric private dining room that comes with warm hospitality, unimpeachable service and delicious modern French food, the Bleeding Heart is just the place. London's historic, cobble-stoned Bleeding Heart Yard is a complete one-off and the private dining spaces off the yard have been playing host to events for the past three decades and more, and today five private dining spaces, all with their own unique character, are the attraction.
The Wine Cellar boasts a fascinating collection of vinous memorabilia and the combination of its rich red colour scheme and exposed brick walls create a place of warmth and timelessness, seating 30 for an impressive sit-down occasion. While the more intimate Parlour is decked out as a Victorian dining room, with lively design touches.
Across the courtyard, the traditional British Tavern – now run as an event space at weekends– can hold first class private dining events for up to 50, with the option to hold a reception in the ground floor bar first.
The Medieval Crypt which can take 120 for a banquet also facilitates smaller parties and the traditional British Tavern – now being run as an event space – allows receptions upstairs to precede breakfasts, lunches and dinners in the attractive basement dining room.
The cobble-stoned courtyard space is pretty as a picture for drinks receptions and informal meals in summer, although it hides a darker history, one of murder and heartbreak (quite literally), in which 17th-century society heiress Lady Elizabeth Hatton was apparently murdered by her spurned lover. Do not be put off!
Food-wise, there’s a full range of Gallic options. Starters might include chicken liver & foie gras parfait with caramelised onion marmalade and toasted brioche, salmon rillette with cured cucumber & potato salad or a vegetarian option. Mains might lead with coq au vin “Grand Mère” with pommes purée, navarin of Cumbrian lamb with potato gratin hot pot or roasted filet of salmon with ratatouille and buttered spinach. For dessert, expect crème caramel and a poached winter fruit compote, bitter chocolate marquise with pistachio crème anglaise or brie de Meaux with spiced plum chutney and rye fruit bread.
Situated in Farringdon just north of Holborn, between the City and London’s West End, Bleeding Heart Yard is a 3-minute walk from Farringdon Station, just one stop on the underground to both Barbican and Kings Cross or a 5-minute walk from Chancery Lane station and Holborn.