Cumberland sausage and chive mash with caramelised onion gravy
It’s now officially 8 sleeps to go before I bid farewell to these gloomy shores. Days like today – Sunday, dumping rain, windy, scattered sunshine (kind of like Melbourne, really) – makes me think I won’t miss London at all but who am I kidding? As much as I crave the sun and surf of Sydney, there are certain things that make London London. Like sausages and mash, for example.
Not that we can’t get sausages and mash in Sydney, but you sure won’t get it within a stone’s throw of St Paul’s Cathedral and Fleet Street, where it really does hit home that London is one of the most incredible and historic cities in the world.
Set against all this oldness and history is Society Bar & Restaurant, a venue so new that everything still smells new and the leather couches are yet to earn their first crease. It’s tucked away on Blackfriar’s Lane and I’m assuming that their target market will be the suits who mingle in the area but honestly? I think they’re capable of more than that.
For one, the food is actually quite good.
Organic beef burger with salad and tomato served with chips and garlic mayonnaise,
smoked bacon and cheese
Baked goats cheese with maple candied squash, buttered spinach and
roast Mediterranean vegetables with tomato and balsamic
Crumbed Cornish whiting with shoestring fries and tartare sauce
The baked goats cheese and vegetables is just about the most delicious vegetarian option I’ve seen outside of Bill’s in Covent Garden, and the fish and chips (my version of gastronomically bidding farewell to London) was crumbed and light, served with crispy shoestring fries.
Society’s restaurant area is modern and spacious, including an outdoor area set atop some fake turf. Oh well, they are in the City after all. Towards the back (or front, depends which side you come in) of the restaurant space is also a bar area… I’ve only seen it sparse during lunch but again it’s spacious and I can see it being filled with suits come Friday evening. Not so much my style but the restaurant area I like.
Glazed lemon tart with clotted cream
Baileys and chocolate crème brulee with homemade shortbread
The desserts are delicious, especially the Baileys and chocolate crème brulee, which let me warn you will leave you scraping the bottom of the ramekin to get every last inkling into your mouth.
I’m a little sad that Society has just opened, given that I’m no longer working in London City. But I have already been twice and here’s some love I’ll share with you. For the rest of July, Society are offering 20% off food and drinks – just quote this Square Meal discount code when booking.
Society Bar & Restaurant
33 Blackfriars Lane
London City, EC4V 6EP
0207 248 1323
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