Last Updated on March 8, 2024
Ivy Market Grill lights up Henrietta Street, Covent Garden
Walking through Covent Garden Piazza is always a visual treat, lively and bustling with busy shoppers, street theatre shows, colourful shops, market stalls and pretty floral installations. Right now is no exception. This September in celebration of renowned British artist Chila Burman the Piazza has come alive with a large scale immersive, neon art installation – Colour of Creativity – which lights up in glorious bright colours, with uplifting words and intricate collages.
The Ivy Market Grill’s Henrietta Street branch, which is situated in the heart of Covent Garden, in keeping with the colourful theme, has transformed their entrance with a fabulous brightly coloured peacock-inspired installation in collaboration with Bombay Sapphire – Escape into Colour. This striking display is themed in vibrant peacock feather colours; purples, blues and greens, perfect for brightening up dark autumnal evenings.
The drama doesn’t stop at the door, inside, the bar team have been busy creating a tantalising cocktail menu that not only tastes good but looks divine.
If you don’t choose to sit on their lovely terrace which is cocooned in greenery and looks out over the Piazza, the restaurant interior is equally desirable. The Ivy Market Grill’s elegant and sophisticated décor, low lighting and tables set with crisp white linen tablecloths give it a smart brasserie feel and the atmosphere is both warm and buzzy.
We sat in one of their leather horseshoe-shaped banquets and browsed the cocktail menu before ordering from their new exotic selection which included three intriguing and colourful options:
- ‘Crimson Crush’ – a refreshing Bombay Sapphire Gin based cocktail with lemon juice, crème de mûre, garnished with lemon, blackberry and an LED light.
- Tequila based, ‘Aqua Haze’ – Patron Silver Tequila, Blue Curacao, lime juice, agave and a smoked rosemary sprig garnish.
- ‘Peacock Blush’ with Grey Goose Vodka, Rhubarb Liqueur, lemon juice, hibiscus syrup, apple juice, shaken with egg white and garnished with a peacock cocktail topper.
I chose the ‘Firelite’ – a mix of Bacardi Spiced Rum, orgeat and chocolate bitters. It arrived topped with a dramatic flaming shell of ovenproof rum and a marshmallow for toasting – spicy, warming and reminiscent of nights around the campfire.
My companion’s pretty Emerald Fizz’ was more summery, a lovely combination of St Germain stirred with fresh cucumber, mint leaves, lemon juice and sugar, topped with Prosecco, soda water and garnished with a cucumber ruffle.
My mum used to make wonderful cheese soufflés, although she always impressed on me how difficult it was to get it just right, so I was rather excited to see one on the Ivy menu. This starter sized twice-baked soufflé, which we shared was cooked to perfection, made with Monterey Jack and mozzarella cheese with grated black truffle in a smooth creamy sauce – light, fluffy and a touch gooey and wonderfully indulgent – my mum would have been impressed!
From the Market Specials, I ordered grilled yellowfin tuna which was beautifully cooked and complemented by a tangy mango salsa with a restrained chilli spike.
Blackened cod fillet was baked in a banana leaf and slathered in rich and lively sweet soy marinade with zingy citrus and pickled fennel giving it a piquant bite. Served with tenderstem broccoli and yuzu mayonnaise it was a delicious option.
The baked apple tart with vanilla ice cream was well worth the 15 min wait, cooked to perfection with flambéed calvados adding a touch of glory!
In my experience the Ivy never disappoints, here we enjoyed everything from the colourful door display to the fun cocktails, friendly and attentive service and a delicious meal.
Ivy Market Grill,
1 Henrietta Street,
Covent Garden,
London, WC2E 8PS
020 3301 0200
www.theivymarketgrill.com
Looking for somewhere to eat in the area? Check out our roundup – each one leads to a full review of a restaurant in Covent Garden
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