The Criterion - Piccadilly, London

We are in the last week of February and the memories of my sunny Barbados are long forgotten. We are back here in London where it is a celebration when the sun decides to grace us with its warmth and allows us to see where we place our feet as we walk to and from work. Winters in UK seem to be longer than anywhere else on the universe and to forget about the cold and gloom, some prefer to down alcoholic drinks while others like me attempt to dine in places that make us think that we are transported in some European mainland location.

One such place is the Criterion restaurant in Piccadilly, London. Up until now I had not realised that the Criterion was also a restaurant as all that can be seen is the adjacent theatre … the Criterion Theatre.

Up stepping into the small unassuming brown doors you are immediately taken aback by the luxurious décor of the room (click here to see the interior). The lights are very low in the entrance area where people can have drinks. As my friend and I left our coats and extra bags at the cloak room, one of the waiters was called to take us to our seats in an area that had a much better lighting. Looking closer, the decors, it did reflect by its opulence the period it was built in. With all its gold lines on emerald ceilings, the bronze statuettes, multiple cutleries and glasses for each settings…This is only the second time ever that I felt that I was not in my place.

The restaurant is on he left

Having never been in the Criterion, a quick check on the website made me conclude that it was a high end place and as a part time chav, I should make an effort to not appear lost it the beautiful décor and clientele. I was already using a special offer and not dressing appropriately could get us thrown out… just never know with places where the head chef is French.
The waiters were very courteous, that made us feel relaxed and welcomed. We were brought the menus and asked what we wanted to drink and that is when I had to make it clear that we are using a special offer from Topstable.com. For some reason the head waiter had some real difficulty understanding that we were using a special offer that it included a free cocktail. I had to repeat in 3 different occasions… well, they placed the offer there… Had it not been for the offer I would have known there was a restaurant there for one and I wouldn’t have thought I could afford to eat there…

For my starter I had the Blakeney Point mussels with cider very lightly seasoned… with nothing to write home about, but the nice touch was the bowl of water that was brought to rinse our finger as we ate the mussels. Loved that.

My main: Salmon, Samphire, beetroot

My main was a melt in the mouth pan fried salmon steak with a puree of beetroot & horseradish and steamed Samphire which I really enjoyed. I only discovered the Samphire, a stringy vegetable last year and had never tasted it before. It was a nice surprise to find it on my plate although I could have read the menus online beforehand. The portions served where just the right quantities to fill you up without weight you down. My friend had a just right and again beautiful steak that was cooked to perfection… she likes her meat “well dead”.

Our desserts arrived just 5-10 minutes after the plates for our main were cleared away. Mine was a Mini brioche calvados presented with blackberry sorbet which I thoroughly enjoyed and cleared my plate.

We ended up spending £68.00 instead of the £50.00 expected, but it was a well worth experience. One lesson I am learning again and again as I visit various restaurants is that, there is no place you cannot afford. Do not judge a restaurant by it outlook, use special offer, go in and make a note to visit it again if you can afford its full prices. I certainly enjoyed the Criterion and will go back.

If you do go, tweet me your thoughts @beenthererevs.

Thank you for reading J