Image above: With it being Sunday lunch there was simply no other choice for me but their house bacon, hash brown, and fried egg dish. [Sunday 03 July] | [View all photos]
Intrigued by London Eater’s review of lunch at Nuno Mendes’ (of Viajante fame) Corner Room, I was glad that Jayna and Winnie were up for trying it out too.
First of all we had to find the place within the atmospheric yet maze like Town Hall Hotel as, to our surprise, there didn’t even seem to be any directions inside. The restaurant’s website is of no help being even more low key than Spuntino – there simply isn’t one – and the place also masquerades as the hotel’s breakfast room too which makes finding it all that more rewarding.
So, spoiler alert, the quickest way is to come through the main entrance of the hotel then walk up the main staircase whilst keeping to the left. On the first floor, do a sharp 180 degrees turn to the right (so the staircase is on your right),walk straight ahead, and then a final turn right to arrive in this compact room that’s simply full of remarkable character. Such as the array of lights hanging on the far wall that we loved.
First impressions were good as but what about the food? The menu was limited with only two sharing platters and seven dishes to choose from and no substitutions allowed. However everything was reasonably priced. Rather famished we started with a shared plate of chorizo with chargrilled bread and olive oil. Simple and good.
When our main courses arrived it was quickly apparent that what was described simply on the menu was so much more in front of us. It was pork and Portuguese bread pudding for Jayna and that gravy was worth mopping up. Winnie got the lamb rump & belly with “true baby” vegetables and each pinkish slice tasted as good as it looked. As for me, I went for the pig-out option of house bacon, hash brown, and fried egg dish. Well, it was Sunday after all!
Having enjoyed an indulgent lunch so far it seemed wrong not prolong it with dessert. Feeling the need to be a bit healthier I had the fruit salad whilst the girls shared a chocolate brownie with fresh berries and creme Catalan.
Even with high expectations, it was still a first-rate place for lunch not just for the food but for the surroundings topped off by the sheer value for money too!
Corner Room | Town Hall Hotel, Patriot Square, London, E2 9NF | Map | Nearest station: Bethnal Green
related posts:
Ooh…did you see watermelon sashimi on the menu?? It’s supposed to be on the menu according to a friend of mine.
@Kay: I believe that their menu changes frequently so no watermelon sashimi on that visit. Guess that means it’s another excuse to return. :P