Last Updated on September 22, 2024
Indigo Restaurant Tasting Menu
There are nights out and there are genuinely special nights out… Indigo at One Aldwych definitely fits in the latter category!
One Aldwych is an independent contemporary 5-star hotel, which occupies a prepossessing Edwardian building that was once the headquarters of The Morning Post newspaper on the Strand. It is ideally located in the heart of theatreland and just a short walk from Covent Garden, Trafalgar Square, Waterloo Bridge, South Bank and the West End.
I was visiting its beautiful yet elegantly understated Lobby bar for cocktails before dining in the stylish Indigo Restaurant, all of which was freshly redesigned and refurbished in 2019.
The Lobby Bar oozes a distinguished yet dynamic charm, with floor to ceiling Palladian Arch windows, marble floors, curvaceous burnt orange velvet sofa seating, with some Art Deco touches, stunning contemporary artworks and a large striking central floral display.
Soaking up the buzzy atmosphere, we perused the cocktail menu which offers a selection of exquisitely crafted signature cocktails, all so tempting it was difficult to know what to choose.
I opted for a Maverick Martini – a classic take on a Pornstar Martini. Made with vanilla-infused Absolut Elyx vodka, passion fruit liqueur, passion fruit purée and vanilla syrup and served with a small glass of Prosecco- with the choice of drinking on the side or adding it to the cocktail – our waiter Tiago gave the analogy of chips with ketchup, on the side or all over. How do you like yours? Oh, definitely on the side please, as gives a perfect crisp and dry after taste to the sweet and sultry flavours of the vodka, fruit and vanilla.
My friend fancied something a little bit spicey and was recommend the For Love – a combination of chilli-infused Crystal Head Vodka with ginger, lemongrass cordial, rhubarb liqueur and lemon juice – It was one of the funkiest cocktails I have tasted in while with wonderful warm notes of chilli and ginger cut through with lemongrass.
Our cocktails were served with nuts and olives.
The Indigo Restaurant Summer Tasting Menu
After our aperitifs, we were shown to our table at the Indigo restaurant, on a mezzanine balcony, decorated in subtle shades of grey with dark grey banquets and distressed mirrors. It has a great view overlooking the social whirl of Lobby Bar and the Strand beyond.
We were here to enjoy Executive Chef Dominic Teague’s 6-course Summer Tasting menu showcasing the very best British ingredients and seasonal produce sourced from their favourite farms & vineyards. All dishes are made without gluten or dairy. In fact, the restaurant has been approved by the coeliac society, but what is so extraordinary is you would never know and it doesn’t take away from the quality or the pleasure of dining on his exceptional food.
The menu also provides the option of drink pairing which we chose. We started with a ‘Whispering Gallery’ named after the gallery at St Pauls’ Cathedral – an elegant summers cocktail made in celebration of Britain using local City of London Gin, elderflower, bergamot and Henner’s sparkling wine and to give it a real touch of class, some edible gold, perfect for stirring the appetite.
The gluten-free bread rolls were light and delicious and served with a soya-based spread sprinkled with crispy bits of bacon, which made a good alternative to butter.
We started with a beautiful Heritage beetroot salad- a sublime combo of sweet multi-coloured nuggets of beetroot, set off by the tang of the rice wine vinaigrette and bite of horseradish, sprinkled with crunchy caramelised hazelnuts.
Next was a delicate dish of lightly shredded Dorset crab, which was set upon a fragrant bed of coriander and seaweed and given a hint of astringency by slithers of grapefruit. This was paired with a lovely white English wine – Bacchus Bolney Bolney Estate Sussex 2019 – crisp, apple and citrus notes with good acidity.
Our third course was a real triumph. Gigha Halibut – a plump perfectly cooked piece of fish artistically presented on crushed Lincolnshire potatoes with sea herbs and Exmoor caviar served with a fresh green herbaceous jus.
Paired with – Silent Pool Rosé Albury Surrey UK 2019 – a light pink medium-bodied wine with fruity notes of strawberry and raspberry.
The following course was a delicious dish of melt in the mouth charred Scottish beef, with soft and juicy roasted grelots in a rich red-wine jus.
Our final wine pairing was a lovely ripe, lightly oaked Pinot Noir, Bolney Estate Sussex 2019
Pudding was not just a one-course affair, first up was Karolyn’s Brûlée – a beautifully presented, remarkably light, non-dairy take on a creme brûlée with Victoria plum, drenched in a sweet and fruity damson syrup.
This was followed by a perfectly soft and springy apple, caramel and hazelnut delice with praline ice cream.
We finished our meal with coffee petit fours and a lovely gift of honeycomb from their very own beehives kept on the roof at One Aldwych.
Indigo’s chef Dominic Teague is all about cooking simple and delicious food and his tasting menu didn’t disappoint. It was an absolute joy and every dish went down a treat. For those that don’t eat meat, there is an equally good vegetarian menu available.
Treat yourself, it’s worth it!
Tasting menu – £65 per person
£95 with drink pairing per person.
Indigo at One Aldwych
Covent Garden
London
WC2B 4BZ
Phone: 020 7300 1000
We’ve also been lucky enough to try the two afternoon teas on offer at One Aldwych. The Classic Afternoon Tea is an amazing gluten and dairy-free iteration of a classic afternoon tea, while the themed Charlie and the Chocolate Factory afternoon tea delights both kids and adults.
Leave a Reply