According to an article I read in the newspaper, 58% of people do not go out on New Years Eve. Given that they all cannot be throwing a party, that means that I am in the minority. I usually go somewhere, and for the past two years was away. However, hotels have worked out that they can charge premium prices for not so premium products, and this year I worked out that it might be a good idea to stay in London, and spend the difference on a bigger holiday later.
This year, we went to the Theatre to see The Duck House (very British Comedy), and preceded it by a very early dinner at Bistrot 1 in Southampton Street, just off The Strand. Check out their web site on http://bistro1.co.uk/ which actually pictures the relevant branch I think. I had field tested the restaurant for lunch some weeks before, and they do an excellent fixed price two course lunch for under a tenner. Despite the name, it is actually influenced by the Turkish bit of the Mediterranean, and food is a mix of Turkish, Italian, and other non-specific Mediterranean.I have found it to be a very satisfactory central London lunch venue.
For new years eve, they did away with the lunch menu, having a simpler limited offering of choices, doubled the price, and had a restricted choice all day long. Given what I have paid in the past, £21.95 per person for three courses with a glass of prosecco thrown in, on new year's eve in central London is not unreasonable. Given that the culinary delights around where I live in North London have been known the charge around the £50 mark, I am feeling that this was a fair price to pay. At 6.30, the place was full.
For starter, I had cold meze which had houmus, falafel, tzatsiki, kisir, pilaki, dolma and cheese borek
This is very Turkish in flavour, and there were bread and olives on the table. This was a substantial helping. As the light in the restaurant was both low and very orange, the colours are a bit distorted. For main I had the grilled mixed shish, which came with rice and salad
This was helped along with a dollop of their chilli sauce, but scored a 9 on the CHOF and was extremely well cooked and presented. No complaints here, but some of the lamb was more chewy than other bits. At least it showed authenticity.
For desert, I had the well known Turkish delicacy of Banofee Pie, which claimed to be home made.
Top marks for effort here.
Knowing that it is a sellers' market in London on new year's eve, and the only places that do not hike up their prices and lower standards are typically the Chinese, Indian and low end chains e.g. Pizza Hut, we came out of that thinking 'pretty good'. I will definitely be going again for lunch. The particular branch in Southampton Street is highly convenient for the theatres of Strand and Covent Garden, and seems to be open all day.
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