Tried & Tasted: Ivy City Garden

Classic sophistication meets modern elegance as The Ivy Collection comes to the City

It’s obvious the mention of The Ivy Collection is enough to draw plenty of attention to a restaurant; when I visit the chain’s latest venture just around the corner from Liverpool Street station on a Tuesday night, I’m not surprised to find it heaving. The Ivy City Garden has everything going for it – a well-known name, a convenient location and a menu with just the right blend of moderate pricing and classic Ivy flavours.

The venue itself is gorgeous – it’s named so thanks to a green haven built into a terrace at the back of the restaurant, which is open-air when the weather’s nice and covered when it inevitably starts raining. The décor carries a jungle theme, with colourful patterned paintings dotted around the main dining space. Upstairs you’ll find a quiet private dining space with a private bar.

My PA guest and I turn up hungry, so I plump for the crispy duck salad to start, while she chooses the Atlantic sea scallops. Both are a delicious start to the evening when paired with a glass of Nyetimber English sparkling wine.

The main event brings seared yellowfin tuna steaks for me, which are served crusted in sesame seeds with shaved fennel, edamame, wasabi sauce and daikon cress. It’s light and oh so tasty. My plus-one goes for the crab linguine and loves the fact it’s made with pasta and courgette noodles.

Both of us are starting to get full, but we can’t resist the dessert menu. I go for an old favourite, vanilla panna cotta topped with peaches and raspberry liqueur sauce, while she only has eyes for the flourless cappuccino cake. I have a bite and immediately decide I’m having it when I come back at a later date, which is set in stone after this brilliant meal.

What we had
Atlantic sea scallops – £13.50
Crispy duck salad – £9.25
Crab linguine – £17.95
Seared yellowfin tuna – £18.95
Flourless cappuccino cake – £7.75
Panna Cotta – £6.75
Two glasses of Nyetimber Classic Cuvee – £25
San Pellegrino sparkling water – £4.75

Ivy City Garden, Dashwood House, 69 Old Broad Street, London EC2M 1QS; 020 3146 7744; theivycitygarden.com