Getting off randomly at Embankment after a long day in the office and looking desparately for some…read morenice place around to have dinner, I came across some raving reviews about The Northall Restaurant. Just a few steps down the road, I decided to give it a go.
I entered the impressive building and immediately was led the way from the bar to the restaurant and granted a nice place by the window. As you would expect for a decent dinner, a tasty wine is always a good start. So I asked the really attentive and helpful waiter for advice. His first shot was the second most expensive wine by the glass, and I thought to myself: What the hell? Tryingto sell me the secondmost important glass is very obvious mission, right?! So I asked him for something lighter, and he came up with a wine that later turned out to be brilliant for a fair price. So I'm afraid my first thought wouldn't have done him justice.
As already mentioned above, I read fabulous things about the burger, and when going through the menu I couldn't decide whether I should go for the highly praised burger or for a probably as delicious fillet steak. Again I asked my waiter for the rescue. He confirmed that he actually had both, and acknowledged that the burger was perhaps the best burger he ever had. After I had. Not yet tasted the wine at that point, I was still a bit suspicious isn't his jobto say nice things about the stuff he sells anyway?! But I believed him and ordered the burger.
After a little wait, the fairly expensive water and the revelation of a white wine arrived. Unfortunately, it took them a bit too long to bring the delicious bread with the smoothy tasty butter, so I barely could try the bread and butter before the burger arrived.
Now to the burger. To no big surprise, the witty waiter was right. Despite not mentioned on the various well-known London burger charts, this is truly one of the best burgers in town. The patty was prepared to perfection, with cheese and plenty of bacon, and a delicious bun that could handle the burger very well without allowing any mess. The chips that came with the burger were not as spectacular as the burger. They were okay. They were good. But honestly, the were nothing special.
With two including butter and bread even three so positive experiences, I couldn't wait to get my hands on the dessert menu. The options were somewhat limited, but I was more than happy to choose their strawberry dish. It came quickly with three strawberries and was another highlight.
To round off my evening, I asked for an espresso. And this is the only time when I was a bit disappointed by what I got. Not that it was a particularly bad espresso, but the black and bitter cup just could not compete withal, the rest I had there. Being nice, I said that I liked the espresso when the waiter asked me, and surprisingly, he brought me another ne for free. That was sort of welcome, as I spent my evening there reading some stuff, and reading with some coffee is always better than reading without some coffee.
The Northall is one of the places that really surprised me in some ways. Located within an expensive hotel in central London, it looks like sort of a posh and overpriced venue. And of course food and wine isn't cheap, and the water might well be overpriced, but the food and also my wine was definitely worth the money. Also, you get very good service, and the interior is astonishing. Very high ceiling, well-chosen colours, nice atmosphere, random (pop?!) music. At first, I wondered about the music, but then I was fine with it. If they would play classic or some avantgarde jazz, the restaurant would probably seem very different. So the casual music gives this otherwise a bit exclusive place a grounded touch.
Altogether dining at The Northall is an experience that is not to be missed if you like architecture, good wine and good food. And good service. And comfy seats.
