One of London’s best-kept secrets (for the time being at least) is Raven’s Ait. This beautiful, leafy island is only accessible by boat, adding an element of mystery and romance. While it is primarily a wedding and party venue, it is open to the public as long as it hasn’t been hired exclusively. Hop on the little ferry from the bank of the river and you will be shuttled to this haven. Before you know it, you’ll be sitting in the sun dining on delicious modern European fare.
Start off your meal at Raven’s Ait with some salt-crusted sourdough and butter emulsion while you peruse the menu of elegant dishes. You might start with a plump ball of mozzarella, paired with tomatoes, creme fraiche, micro basil and olive dust. Having arrived by boat, however, you might want to opt for the seafood starter: Severn and Wye smoked salmon and Dorset crab, paired with compressed apple, cucumber, blinis, caviar and lemon verbena.
The main courses at Raven’s Ait follow the theme of elegant modern European fare, with entries like pan-fried cod loin paired with saffron mash and citrus tenderstem broccoli. Meatier options include Surrey farm beef with braised wild mushrooms, smoked bone marrow and red wine jus. Vegetarians can opt for the spinach and ricotta ravioli with tomato bisque, shaved parmesan and herb crust.
Decadent desserts are on offer to round off your island meal at Raven’s Ait. Hearty options include sticky toffee pudding or chocolate delice, while a selection of artisan cheese is available for those looking for a more savoury note to end on. This comes with Peter’s Yard biscuits, celery, grapes, nuts and spiced tomato chutney. Menus for special occasions like Mothers’ Day are also a common occurrence here, so keep an eye out for them. Book your table now to start planning your visit.