With the Olympics around the corner, London is full of excitement and buzz. Tourists always find some treats which us Londoners simply take for granted – Boyd is nestled by Embankment surrounded by theatres, hotels and bars. It’s the perfect London location for a spot of people watching and views from the Thames.
The Look, The Feel
Boyd is placed in a beautifully restored building which oozes history and elegance. On entering Boyd you are immediately taken back by the grandeur of the venue, the decor provide a unique feel. The bar is centred within the restaurant and provides a iconic welcome to everyone entering the restaurant for a drink or dinner. The chic setting features contemporary art deco furniture against a backdrop of grand marble walls and Victorian chandeliers.
Immediately you get the impression that the venue is perfectly suited to the discerning gent looking to impress a lady or prospective clients. It’s a welcome which will greet you every time you visit.
The starter menu offers a variety of British tapas which provides Boyds Brasserie with a unique and clever menu. You can select two items from the tapas menu for £7.90 and the portions are fair. We opted for the gnocchi with mild mushrooms alongside smoked duck and orange salad. The quality of ingredients was apparent immediately, the fragrance from the salad was enticing and the gnocchi was simply delicious. Given the fantastic starters we had high expectations for the mains.
The Main Event
The menu had a variety of options for the carnivorous gent or the acquired vegetarian. We opted for the Roasted Gloucester Chicken with gravy (£15.25) and the Boyds Game Pie (£14.25) with sides. The Chicken was presented beautifully with the setting perfectly in the plate with the sauces surrounding the succulent meat. The portion was healthier than that of the tapas, as you would expect, and the chef’s attention to detail was evident.
The Game Pie was the signature dish, named after Boyd and with good reason. It was cooked to perfection with crispy pastry but maintaining a soft and moist filling which was full of flavour. It should not be selected without caution – you need to have the capacity to deal with the pie as it is a generous size. Not that we were complaining; the recommendation from the waitress was spot on and honest which was very impressive.
The mains led perfectly to the luxurious desserts from the menu, immediately tempting and drawing attention when suggested by the waitress. The Chocolate Tart with Blackberry Sorbet was a nice choice. Made fresh, it was a nice blend of flavour with a velvet texture, a perfect end to the evening.
Verdict
The restaurant is a favourite with Elysium Towers, it has an ideal location and perfect setting for a host of occasions. We have returned to the venue a few times and relaxed in the first level foyer which provides a great overview of the crowds visiting Boyds Brasserie.
The menu is simple but effective, it has been put together with thought and the staff are knowledgeable. The manager was quizzed on the history of the building and did not falter. She was more then happy to show us around and provided great insight into Boyds Brasserie and 8 Northumberland Avenue.
Did you know that London hosted the Olympics in 1908 and 1948 as well as 2012?
To celebrate this exciting trilogy, Boyds Brasserie will be hosting three sets of “happy minutes” at 19:08, 19:48 and 20:12, where cocktails will be half price for ten minutes. This gold medal-winning offer will be available every evening throughout July and August 2012.
Overall, the visit was a great reminder of what is great about finding a restaurant which exceeds expectations. When you do visit make sure you take time to take a look around the venue and impress the person you are with. The Olympic celebration means the evenings will be a perfect choice for the discerning gent looking for a few choice cocktails, which are impressive as the venue.
Venue information:
Boyds, 8 Northumberland Avenue, London WC2N 5BY
Nearest station: Embankment
T: 020 7808 3344