Tucked down an alleyway off Bishopsgate, New Street Grill is set within one of the City’s oldest surviving warehouses, originally built by the East India Company. Happily, it has lovingly kept the dark alcoves, wooden floors and ornate windows, giving it an authentic atmosphere. The new Sunday menu is a satisfying combination of brunch classics (Eggs Benedict, granola etc.) as well as Sunday roasts, meat grills and fish dishes.
My guest, and very good friend, chose the sautéed wild mushrooms & poached egg on sourdough toast. They were clearly enjoyable – I had barely started on my fresh and gamey pressed pork terrine with English piccalilli before her plate was clean. I was assured they were scrumptious, and you shall have to take her word for it!
I was intrigued to try the lobster macaroni with blue cheese (as it sounded like a disaster waiting to happen); in the end, though, despite the fact that it could have used more lobster I was impressed by the subtlety of the unsubtle ingredients. We also tried the fish of the day: the monkfish, purple sprouting broccoli and mashed potato was very well cooked, fresh tasting, and even delicious with some of the lobster macaroni.
We decided on two opposing desserts. A light raspberry & mint sorbet with fresh raspberries & tuille, was mainly used to cleanse our palettes after a spotted dick and custard. The sponge was dense, but not stodgy, and the custard was some of the best I’ve had in ages, rich and laced with vanilla pods.
Our service was excellent throughout, although we did have an issue with the smart/casual uniform of shirts and waistcoats paired with scruffy jeans and bright white trainers. Visually, it didn’t work with the surroundings, and I think they should consider more continuity of garb.
Outfits aside, New Street Grill is friendly, well-located and fantastic value for money: they offer 2 courses for £20 or 3 courses for £25, and for an additional £10 per person there are unlimited Bloody Marys or Prosecco.
At the end of our meal we decided to take advantage of the sunlit outside courtyard with a glass of Frangelico on ice. It felt like we were somewhere else entirely, hidden away from bustling Bishopsgate, and I can’t wait to go back when the weather is even warmer, for an indulgent day in the sun.
New Street Grill
16A, New Street London
EC2M 4TR
