Jason Atherton and Restaurant Associates are high on so many levels. this year their city of society London's EC2 celebrates its 10th anniversary as a Michelin Star restaurant. Chef Paul Walsh, who has worked closely with Jason Atherton, has launched a stunning new British menu to celebrate ten successful years.
City Social is located on the 24th floor of Tower 42 on Old Broad St, London EC2, so diners can see a part of London filled with towering buildings dotting the skyline. You can have a direct view of these skyscrapers from any table at City Social.
The floor-to-ceiling windows that frame the restaurant provide a captivating view. The tables are placed on the second floor so everyone can see them. At my table, the magnificent cucumbers looked so close that I could almost touch them.
atmosphere
The Michelin-starred City Social restaurant has a bit of a luxurious private members vibe. Floor-to-ceiling windows follow the curves of City Social restaurant and bar, creating a stunning Art Deco setting of dark wood, dark floors, tanned leather chairs, horseshoe banquettes and dark marble tables.
The dim lighting casts soft shadows reflected on the mirrored ceiling, making it look gloomy yet glamorous. It's the perfect place to share whispers and know looks.
food
The menu may be short, but the selection is extensive and the time the staff spends mentoring customers on the menu is impressive.
Reluctantly skipping the nashi pear, Dexter beef tartare shimeji and Devon crab with miso mayonnaise, we ended up opting for seared Orkney scallops, confit peppers (said to be Spanish), barbecue corn and yuzu for a hint of lime and lemon. And the velvety butter sauce. This is a rather sumptuous starter.
Rabbit Valentines (wrapped in Parma ham) served with stewed mushrooms, English peas and rabbit vinaigrette. Although it didn't take up much space on the plate, it was a satisfyingly filling dish.
For the main course, I had my eye on the Josper Grill and the premium cut of Newlyn halibut and made a note to return. This time we ordered line-caught sea bass, grilled salmon, sea herbs, warm roe, and Cédra Beurre Blanc. Sea bass is a meaty fish with fish eggs in a buttery sauce. I loved the barbecue corn which gave it a bit of crunch.
Their signature dish, roast guinea fowl, rarely appears on the menu and it made sense to take the opportunity to order this. It came with herb and brioche filling, chive vinaigrette, Jersey Royals, and braised leg wontons, and I really enjoyed the bird.
There was no room for any more desserts, so we shared a pretty good elderflower and lemon parfait served with Gariguette strawberries, and a white chocolate and wild strawberry sorbet.
drink
City Social's wine list is extensive and a sommelier was on hand to help pair food and wine. Along with rabbits and guinea fowl, we tasted Gevrey-Chambertin Champonnet Premier Cru Domaine du Courvent, a wine from the largest wine-producing village in Burgundy's Côte d'Or. On the palate, it's a wonderful combination of velvety tannins and delicate texture.
The fish dish was paired with Bourgogne Chardonnay Maison de Montille 2016, the apple aroma and freshness on the palate topped everything off.
Oh, of course there is a bar and at one point I think I had a couple of martinis made with Sapling Vodka and the house vodka which was really good.
verdict: City Social's city location and great food make it a honeypot for the right clientele with discerning tastes looking for a place to strike a secret deal. But after dark comes date night. Surely no couple can leave without falling in love with the superbly organized service, sublime food, unusual setting and, perhaps, each other.
City Social, Tower 42, 25 Old Broad Street, London EC2
Check out the City Social menu here.