insideKENT Magazine Issue 73 - April 2018 | Page 107

FOOD + DRINK
FIRST DATE ANYONE ? DINNER AT THE

Paternoster Chop House

FULL OF ATMOSPHERE , ICONIC LONDON VIEWS AND A HEARTY BRITISH MENU , WHAT MORE COULD YOU NEED ? HOW ABOUT AN AIR OF TV FAMILIARITY AND A SIDE ORDER OF ROMANCE … BY SAMANTHA READY
I know and love the D & D London restaurant concept of great British food , carefully curated wine lists , faultless service , historic properties and iconic London views , but their Paternoster Chop House has always been top of my list of dining must dos .
I ’ d like to say that this desire stems simply ( and justifiably ) from its welcoming and atmospheric dining room defined by a mix of small tables and comfy bench seating . Or , set directly under St Paul ’ s Cathedral , its sleek bar with mixologists offering the latest must-have cocktails and a tried and tested chop house menu offering the best of British seafood , fish and meat – including their renowned charcoal grilled aged steaks … but honestly , it was driven just a little ( ok , maybe a lot ) by the fact that this little gem is the restaurant setting for Channel 4 ’ s hit show First Dates .
With an air of giddy excitement , but thankfully without the first date nerves , my husband and I headed through the imposing stone columns that mark the entrance to the outdoor terrace and double-height glass entrance , and while there may not have been a Fred ( Sirieix , the legendary maître d ' from the show ) or Merlin , bartender extraordinaire ) waiting to greet us , we were warmly welcomed by the friendly and very well turned out Paternoster team .
Perched on the stool by the sleek curved bar , we were soon happily working through the cocktail list , supping an aptly named First Dates – a smooth and sweet Southern Comfort , cranberry and lychee affair , and an Elder & Wiser – a sweet and bitter mix of Jack Daniels Honey , elderflower and apple as we took in the atmospheric dining room , filled with a hubbub of working
lunches , celebratory groups and , of course , a wide range of ‘ table pour deux ’.
It was at our own – windowside and with direct views of St Pauls – that we began our dining feast . My dining partner , lured by the confident suggestion of our waitress , began with rock oysters served with a sharp red wine and shallot vinegar , while I was swung by the Clarence Court scotch egg made with rich sausage meat , black pudding and a glorious runny egg , and served with a fresh piccalilli which , despite being on the snack menu , was actually large enough for two .
Keen to add to the air of romance and inspired by a neighbouring table , we next decided to share the chateaubriand from the specials menu ; the elegantly presented , meltin-the-mouth cut cleverly came with a tasting range of sauces and butters ( the chophouse butter is a must !), so each mouthful was different from , but just as tasty as the last . Do not forget to ask for a side order of triplecooked chips ; divine .
A welcome pause between courses gave us enough time to sneak off for a ‘ First Dates ’ selfie and meant that we could just about manage dessert , which we were thankful for as the rich , oozing chocolate fondant was the perfect indulgent end to our meal .
I ’ m pleased to say that although the recent furore around this venue may have been based on its TV notoriety , its long-term notoriety will be for its expertly cooked quality British dishes combined with an unrivaled approach to service .
I ’ m ready for my second date .
Paternoster Chop House Warwick Court , London EC4M 7DX 020 7029 9400 paternoster @ danddlondon . com www . chophouse-restaurant . co . uk
thechophouses paternosterchophouse paternoster-chop-house
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