Award-winning chef Tom Simmons has opened his first restaurant in London, July 2017. Tom Simmons, new restaurant by the same name is the hidden gem we hope won’t stay hidden for too long. Tucked away amongst some new builds between London Bridge and Tower Bridge (there’s great views of both) it’s the sort of place you won’t find unless you are looking for it on these quiet residential back streets – once you do however, you can’t deny it’s there and you’ll want to tell everyone about it (or maybe that’s just us)!
With coveted awards and accolades under his belt, Tom’s new joint showcases his relaxed and elegant cooking style with a focus on thoughtfully sourced ingredients. Influenced by both British and French cuisine with an emphasis on his Welsh heritage, Tom is at the helm in the kitchen as partner Lois Thomas oversees the front of house.
Warm and welcoming, the staff greet with a genuine smile and seat us by the window, offer us cocktails and put delicious warm bread and whipped butter in front of us as we debate what to have…
Favourite dishes are available as small plates to enjoy at the bar, or for the table; pre- dinner nibbles, one-off originals include cockle popcorn with seaweed mayonnaise or pigs head croquettes. We decide to give these a miss on this trip and instead order a couple of starters, Chicken Liver Parfait: apricot & orange chutney, brioche, is deliciously rich and best shared with a pal, and the Orkney King Scallops: pea puree, smoked ham hock, charred baby gem – simply divine.
For mains, we went surf and turf, with one of us going for a delicious fillet of beef and the other monkfish, both sublime and very generous in portion, so much so we could not make room for dessert, so upon Lois’s recommendation went for a dessert wine instead to get our sugar fix.
Set over a mezzanine split level, the restaurant interior is a mixture of rustic and contemporary design elements. Influenced by Tom & Lois’ Welsh roots, materials are largely natural, with wood panelled walls, a slate bar and Welsh oak tables. The colour palette is a blend of earthy tones and the walls display scenes from the Welsh countryside. The space is lit with natural and soft lighting, creating a relaxed and elegant environment for friends and family to come together, drink and eat and casually while away a few hours.
The ever changing menu promises to always deliver delicious food. Open for lunch and evening service, we’ve got their Sunday roasts locked in the diary for our next trip…!
Tom Simmons, Tower Bridge, 2 Still Walk, London, SE1 2LP
Instagram:@tomsimmons_tb
Facebook:@tomsimmonstowerbridge
Twitter:@tomsimmons_tb
