(Left to right) Truffle aracini, with fried Arborio rice balls, Parmesan & Truffle & zucchini fritti. Photo: Scott Harrah

 

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THE IVY MARKET GRILL
1 Henrietta Street
London WC2E 8PS
United Kingdom
44 20 3301 0200, https://theivymarketgrill.com/

By Scott Harrah

 

LONDON–We stopped by the Ivy Market Grill before catching a show and were amazed by the British brasserie’s upmarket ambiance and eclectic menu. One can choose to sit right outside in Covent Garden overlooking the famous piazza, but since it was a hot British summer day, we decided to eat indoors, in a dining room that is simplistic but elegant.

Our waiter was the charming Lorenzo, and he and the Ivy Market’s maître d’ Walid both catered to our every need. Lorenzo suggested a number of outstanding appetizers, including the truffle arancini, made with fried Arborio rice balls with Parmesan and truffle. These little crunchy balls were heavenly, a great mixture of cheese and truffle. Equally scrumptious was the zucchini fritti, consisting of French-fried, crispy courgette (shoestring zucchini fries as we call them in the States) served with tangy lemon, mint and chili yogurt sauce. This appetizer was the most delicious battered and fried veggie we’ve had in a long time. We’re used to heavily battered, greasy vegetable tempura back in New York, but the Ivy Market’s version is lighter, with just the right amount of breading, allowing the flavor of the zucchini to be fully enjoyed without overpowering oil.

We soon dug into “Bang Bang Chicken,” featuring juicy chicken bites in a spicy sauce, served on iceberg lettuce with refreshing sliced radishes.

Ivy Market Grill

‘Bang bang chicken,’ juicy chicken bites in a spicy sauce, served on iceberg lettuce with refreshing sliced radishes, at the Ivy Market Grill, Covent Garden in London. Photo: Scott Harrah

My dining partner had the seared salmon with quinoa and a Spanish broccoli that is a much darker green (and less full in the leaves) than the type we eat back in the States. He said the salmon was tender and moist, and the broccoli made a great pairing with the fish.

Chargrilled minute steak with garlic butter, thick cut chips & watercress at the Ivy Market Grill, Covent Garden in London. Photo: Scott Harrah

For my main course, I chose the chargrilled minute steak available on the pre-theatre menu. It’s a thin sirloin type of meat, with garlic butter, thick cut chips and watercress for £3.50 supplement. It was wonderfully cooked at medium rare as requested, and filling but not too heavy (a plus on a hot evening before heading to the theatre). This tender steak was most enjoyable with a glass of bold Malbec wine.

Crème brûlé, a traditional vanilla custard with a caramelized sugar crust at Ivy Market Grill, London. Photo: Scott Harrah

For dessert, we did not know where to start because there was so much from which to choose, from an apple tart to ice creams.  My dining partner had the crème brûlé, a traditional vanilla custard with a caramelized sugar crust. I chose the vanilla panna cotta, a light and fluffy concoction, with peaches, raspberry liqueur sauce and almond tuile. This all went great with a cup of American coffee, a brilliant end to a great meal.

Vanilla panna cotta, with peaches, raspberry liqueur sauce & almond tuile. At Ivy Market Grill in Covent Garden, London. Photo: Scott Harrah

The Ivy Market Grill, part of the famous Ivy Collection of establishments, was one of our favorite pre-theatre restaurants in London. Two courses for pre-theatre dinner is £ 16.50; £ 21 for three.

This restaurant should be on everyone’s “must try” list when thinking of dining in the British capital.

 

Edited by Scott Harrah
Published June 28, 2017
Reviewed on June 21, 2017 in London

 

Roasted butternut squash with grains at Ivy Market Grill, Covent Garden, London. Photo: Paul Winch-Furness

Warm flourless chocolate cake at Ivy Market Grill, Covent Garden, London. Photo: Paul Winch-Furness

The Ivy Market Grill in Covent Garden, London. Photo: Paul Winch-Furness