Hold on to Summer at Dalloway Terrace

The Bloomsbury Hotel’s Dalloway Terrace is such a gem that I’m almost reluctant to spill the beans. Tucked away behind the hustle and bustle of Tottenham Court Road and the Dominion Theatre and permanently festooned with pretty blossom, it’s a true oasis in the city. Popping in to try out the new lunch menu on a recent Friday we can’t help feeling we’ve lucked out with the weather, but with the ability to cover the terrace, rain never stops play here.

We are visiting to try out their summer offering and, courtesy of master florist Nikki Tibbles Wild at Heart, the new look at Dalloway Terrace sums up the sights of the English countryside, transforming the Terrace and neighbouring Coral Garden with an ode to the wild meadow flowers of the Ramsbury Estate. Incorporating silk daisies, cosmos, larkspur, delphiniums and foliage, with embellishments of vibrant coral quince blossom, the new look perfectly complements the botanical notes of the Ramsbury Single Estate Gin. We were tempted by the seasonal cocktail menu too: inspired by the countryside it’s been created by Giovanni Spezziga (General Manager of Dalloway Terrace and The Coral Room) in partnership with Ramsbury Distillery – and offers a selection of summer serves, all priced at £13.

Dalloway Terrace

We start our lunch with a unique G&T which we are able to garnish ourselves using flourishes fresh from the Ramsbury Estate, such as rosemary, quince, dried apple, lemongrass, dried lemon and fresh lime, all brought out in a rustic wooden box.

Our starters are wonderful – it’s a fresh and fragrant seabass ceviche served with sweet potato, avocado and plantain for me, and gooey burrata with seasonal tomatoes and seeded crisp-bread for my companion. 

For mains, the Bloomsbury burger is calling my name but the lure of a good steak sandwich is too strong. Cooked to perfection, it is served with melted onions and hand-cut chips. The tiger prawns come in a huge portion with a harissa aioli and are dismantled and dispatched very swiftly. 

We’ve just enough room left for something sweet and choose a coconut and chocolate pannacotta which is as wibbly-wobbly as can be and vanilla créme brulee. We wash the meal down with a light and dry Provence Rosé and end with a glass of Champagne as my brother arrives with good news and we can’t think of a better place to linger a little longer to celebrate. 

Al fresco dining in the West End doesn’t come much better than this. But don’t wait for a sunny day to get yourself down there! 

Dalloway Terrace, 16-22 Great Russell Street, WC1B (020 7347 1221; dallowayterrace.com)