During the London Restaurant Festival, happening throughout October, a number of restaurants are offering discounted menus to coincide. Hence the Panda rushed to the opportunity to book up a storm and try out this Jamie Oliver institution right under St. Paul’s.

Upon arrival you are swiftly sent up the stairs to a dining room with a direct view of St. Paul’s. It’s a bit of a shame that the mullions obstruct you from getting a clear view but nonetheless it’s a picture perfect scene. Whilst the style of food here are hearty classics, heavy on barbecued meats.

Barbecoa Sourdough

My bread fiend dining companion opted for some extra bread rather than sides to accompany their £30 for three course offer. This was a beautifully crispy piece of sourdough with the chicken butter and crispy skin accompaniment akin to that of Flavour Bastard’s. But the bread here was far more successful.

Barbecue Chicken Wings

To be honest these were a bit average. They usually charge £8 for 5 of these, which is a bit pricey. They taste fine but they could be smokier or crisper to warrant shelving out £8 for some chicken wings and I’m the biggest fan of chicken wings!

Calamari

This was an unusual take on calamari but not necessarily the best. Rather than a fried batter it tasted more breaded, with the batter coming off of the calamari. But they were large succulent pieces, so was enjoyable enough even though they weren’t the standard crunchy calamari I expect.

Sticky Creole Ribs

We were a bit disappointed that they had run out of the St. Louis Belly and Butt, instead we were offered a double portion of the creole ribs. These were nice big slabs of meat, hearty and heartwarming.

Wagyu Burger

This is normally on their lunch menu, which is a set so I can’t tell if this is the most expensive burger I’ve had in London or if that title still lies with Bar Boulud. This was a nice simple burger without too much fuss, made with delicate Wagyu meat. Is it a standout? Probably not, but it’s definitely a well made classic burger if you’re in the mood for fuss free food.

Barbecoa Brownie

This is a nice, not too indulgent, chocolate dessert despite it being pretty much a slab of chocolate. The bay leaf yoghurt ice cream helps cut through the flavours and add an odd but interesting flavour to an otherwise classic dessert.

Pumpkin and Kumquat Cheesecake

A delectable dessert with some rather interesting flavours and textures. If you are looking for something a little out of the box in a menu full of traditional favourites? This is the one for you.

The food here is generally well made, with simple tried and tested combinations but nothing here is at all exciting, it is in fact in the desserts that they play a little with flavours. Overall the food here is good no doubt, but rarely exceptional and is, for that fact, a little pricey.

Address: 20 New Change Passage, London, EC4M 9AG

Telephone: 0203 005 8555

Mind The Gap:

Mon – Sat: 11.30am – 11pm

Sun: 12pm – 10pm

Panda ate, shot and left.