Last Updated on April 7, 2021
A Review of Sorts – RAW Fish and Cocktails.
Just before London went into tier 4 I went along to a restaurant opening on Brick Lane. Not as you might think an Indian or Bangla restaurant, this place specialised in fish and rather special cocktails. We loved the ambience and truly enjoyed an evening of eating small plates of beautifully prepared fish and sipping on some delicious and unusual drinks. Well, the lockdown which followed tier 4 regulations has gone on for a lot longer than I anticipated and I’m really missing eating out. So I am delighted to hear that the place I went along to (then called Crudo) will be reopening with a new name, RAW fish and cocktails. And a new sister restaurant has been created in the meantime – RAW fish and cocktails will be opening in Fitzrovia!
The sea is the inspiration behind Chef Ivan Simeoli’s menu in Brick Lane and Fitzrovia. The menu includes some of the delicious dishes we enjoyed at the launch – from ultra-fresh oysters to a delicious dish of grilled octopus with borlotti beans, chorizo and ink crumble.
Then, there is a selection of tempura and deep-fried dishes. Delicious tiger prawns with the lightest tempura batter, black ink arancini and salt cod croquettes.
We particularly enjoyed the ‘fish tapas’ selection when we visited last year. The new restaurant will have a similar selection; wild sea bass with chard and wild mushrooms for example.
And, there’s a selection of ‘sea buns’ – think bacon butties with a pescatarian twist. The naughtiest is literally fish and chips in a sourdough bun, with battered haddock and chips served with spicy mayonnaise.
Or how about tuna tartare with burrata, miso mayo and spicy tomatoes. Or cured salmon with fried courgette and tomatoes.
This is the kind of place to come and graze and enjoy some of the fresh sea-inspired cocktails – a squid ink infused bloody mary, for example, a kombu seaweed martini or nori pisco sour.
RAW on Brick Lane will reopen for al fresco dining on 12th April and seats are already very limited. So, if you have any plans, do check availability and book as soon as possible. RAW Fitzrovia will open on 17th May with indoor dining
Find out more from their website
Brick Lane: 120-122 Brick Lane, Spitalfields, London E1 6RL
Fitzroia: 110 Great Portland Street,Fitzrovia, London W1W 6PQ
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