Al fresco dining in Bloomsbury
If Virginia Woolf, or indeed her creation Mrs Dalloway, were still with us now, we’re fairly confident that they would be more than happy to take tea, or something a bit stronger, in Dalloway Terrace. Newly opened in The Bloomsbury on Great Russell Street, London’s literary heartland, it almost feels wrong to reveal this hidden gem to too many people, but we’re too good to you, so here we go.
Off the Beaten Track
Tucked away behind the hustle and bustle of Tottenham Court Road, Dalloway Terrace is the perfect pit-stop after a shopping trip or for a pre- or post-theatre drink. With a retractable roof, like Wimbledon’s Centre Court, the inclement British weather won’t stop this restaurant from serving fine food and cocktails, rain or shine. The elegant, conservatory-like surroundings (with optional blanket for the poor old knees should you want it) are the perfect setting in which to enjoy the well-presented and delicious food.
We started with smoked salmon served with Guinness bread and an unusual octopus salad special, followed by the scallops and lemon sole (thankfully they give you the option to have on or off the bone, and I was happy to let them do the fiddly work). Somehow we found room for dessert in the special part of our stomachs that are reserved just for chocolate fondants and panacotta. All this washed down with Champagne cocktails including the house special ‘Mrs Dalloway’ and a very refreshing Petit Papillon from a well-curated wine list.
Impeccable Service
The staff could not have been more friendly or welcoming, and despite us totally over-staying our welcome they restrained themselves from ushering us out physically. The fine fare and impeccable service is overseen by restaurant manager Andrei Maxim, previously from The Ledbury in Notting Hill and Maze by Gordon Ramsay in Mayfair so any guests will find themselves in more-than-capable hands. We left with promises to return the moment the sun came out to try out their brunch menu, or maybe afternoon tea, or maybe even both and over-stay our welcome once more in the comfy sofas in the terrace bar.