Last Updated on September 22, 2024
Pivot’s 60-Minute Menu: A Fast and Flavourful Dining Experience in Covent Garden
Here at London Unattached we are big fans of Pivot, chef/patron Mark Greenaway’s first-floor Covent Garden HQ. It’s perfect for a post-shopping bite a pre-theatre pit stop or when you have more time for a leisurely dinner or Sunday lunch. To up the ante they have just introduced a 60-minute menu. (£29.50 for 3 courses £25 for two) and if you don’t get your 3 courses within the 60 minutes your meal is free! And to make things even better the menu includes many of the Pivot favourites such as Chicken and Hazelnut Terrine, Split Bone Marrow with Stottie Cake, Roasted Ham, Egg and Potato served with English Mustard and Gravy and everybody’s favourite traditional Sticky Toffee Pudding.
So armed with a starting pistol and stopwatch we headed off to Covent Garden. The restaurant is set in a fabulous location that overlooks the Plaza below. It boasts a warm and cosy atmosphere, which is relaxed and welcoming. The painted Tuscan orange walls are adorned with pop art and rock ’n roll live posters, furnished with dark wood tables and deep red leather banquettes, with an open plan kitchen and indie and 70s favourites playing at a sensible level.
So, with no time to lose, we whetted our appetites with a crisp and refreshing glass of Moët et Chandon Brut NV. We ordered all three courses immediately, so the chef had time to prepare our dishes.
We started with an excellent quality non-greasy Scottish Smoked Salmon, with a hint of smoke and the subtle additions of caper, shallot, dill, sour cream and lemon. The dressed cold asparagus was warmed by a rich and creamy Hollandaise sauce, topped with a poached with a deep orange oozing yoke.
Following swiftly on, my companion enjoyed a delicate and delicious Seafood Broth with cod, salmon, sea bass, mussels and prawns, in a light saffron-infused white wine sauce, with baby courgettes.
My robust portion of Roasted Ham could quite easily have served two, the tender ham is served on the bone bathed in a tangy and flavourful grainy mustard sauce, with a side of new potatoes and an egg topped with flakes of ham and sprinkle of chopped chives.
And finally, two deeply indulgent puddings, but why not? A Pavlova with crunchy meringue, with an intense dark berry compote and a jug of warm light caramel sauce to give it the wow factor. The Sticky Toffee Pudding was dense, rich and satisfying, served with cold Custard and hot salted caramel sauce.
All served true to their promise within the hour, which worked perfectly for us to attend the exhibition we were going to just a short walk away. The staff were lovely and just as we were about to leave, we rather wished for a cup of coffee which they kindly offered to make in takeaway cups. Full and happy we made our merry way.
Pivot is such a great find and the prices are very reasonable given the upmarket location. It’s good to be in the know!
Pivot Bar and Bistro
3 Henrietta St,
Covent Garden,
London WC2E 8LU
Leave a Reply