Think of American food and what usually comes to mind is hot dogs, pancakes, ribs, burgers and anything groaning under the weight of its own carb-laden content, writes Colette Doyle. Avenue, (pictured) however, is a modern American restaurant that claims to “capture the buzz of the New York dining scene” and has about as much in a common with a golden arches-style fast food eatery as Prada does with Primark.
Avenue’s swanky interior is in keeping with its salubrious location on upscale St James’s Street. Its sleek lines see the dark wooden flooring contrast beautifully with the backlit glass-filled cabinets perched above the Long Bar. What appears to be a chandelier turns out to be a display of glasses turned upside down, blending in perfectly with the modern art that adorns the walls.
The private dining room can seat up to 20 guests and features a stunning light installation alongside a full-length plaster cast of a bookcase and an antique wooden dining table – ideal for those looking for privacy in stylish surroundings.
My companion and I both go for the crustacean option to start: softshell crab for him and shrimp cocktail for me. The crab is the right side of spicy thanks to the addition of chipotle sauce, while my prawn cocktail comes with the dressing on the side for ladies who watch their weight, but is so moreish I end up ordering extra.
For mains, we continue with the seafood theme: my date plumps for roasted turbot, bok choy and asparagus in a cardamom and vanilla dressing and I order lobster risotto. The rice is perfectly cooked al dente and the fennel adds a delectable flavour to the bisque, enhanced by the creamy taste of Parmesan. The only thing I don’t like about lobster is how messy it can be, but this is cut into dainty little pieces, so there’s absolutely no muss or fuss.
Dessert is a clever take on those classic American favourites: doughnuts and cheesecake. These mini versions (donut holes) come with cream, jam and chocolate pots, while the caramel cheesecake features butter popcorn on top and can only be described as a-ma-zing.
If you’re after brasserie-style dining with a US flavour, then this classy joint could be right up your street.
Avenue, 7-9 St Jame’s St, London SW1A 1EE; 020 7321 2111; avenue-restaurant.co.uk/
Boisdale
Sometimes all you want for an evening business dinner is a comfortable and relaxed setting, yet one that still provides sophisticated food and entertainment, writes Molly Dyson. Boisdale does exactly that at its Canary Wharf location – founder Ranald Macdonald started the business to share his passion for Scotland, whisky, cigars and jazz.
When my partner and I arrive we’re greeted by the sight of a crowd taking in a few drinks and some freshly prepared shellfish at the oyster bar and grill downstairs. We’re taken up to the main restaurant, where the theme of tartan carpets and red walls continues. The décor brings together the theme of Scotland and music, with mounted deer and boar heads, as well as paintings and pictures of famous jazz musicians. Our table is next to the huge curved window that overlooks Cabot Square.
From the extensive wine list, I pick out a bottle of Château de l’Aumerade Cuvée Marie-Christine 2012 rosé from Provence. There are so many tempting food choices on the menu, but as it’s a Scottish restaurant, I feel duty-bound start with a mini roast haggis served with mashed potatoes, bashed ‘neeps’ (that’s turnips to you Sassenachs) and a shot of Chivas Regal whisky. My companion goes for the dressed Devonshire crab with chilled gazpacho, Marcona almonds and pickled cucumber, which looks incredibly fresh.
Sticking to Scotland’s finest, I decide on the seven-ounce Aberdeenshire tournedo fillet with béarnaise sauce and a side of buttery mashed potatoes. The grass-fed beef melts in my mouth and has just enough seasoning to give it a bit of extra flavour, while the potatoes remind me of childhood family dinners. Meanwhile, my partner goes for the Gloucestershire Old Spot pork belly with summer truffles, polenta, green salsa and crispy pork scratchings. He must be enjoying it because he savours every bite, though that may be to stretch out our time here so we can see the live jazz band later in the evening.
Our tastes converge at dessert, as we both choose a Bramley apple and rhubarb crumble with bourbon vanilla ice cream. We agree that it’s worth extending our appetites to fit in this sweet treat and manage to finish everything, helping it go down with a lovely cup of coffee.
The Canary Wharf location features live jazz music every night and a range of private dining spaces to suit just about any occasion.
Cabot Place, Canary Wharf, London E14 4QT; 020 7715 5818; boisdale.co.uk/canary-wharf/
