Boisdale of Bishopsgate

Boisdale of Bishopsgate opened in The City of London in June 2002, the establishment, formerly home to Bill Bentley's, reflects the eclectic and idiosyncratic atmosphere of the restaurant and bars in Belgravia, it has been decorated and furnished in Boisdale's end of Empire style. The dark reds and greens will remind visitors of Belgravia, as will the display of Boisdale's extensive collection of paintings and objets d'art - providing a clubbable environment within the territory of Mammon.

The ground floor Champagne and Oyster Bar is furnished with leather, marble, old oak and mirrors and provides an excellent watering hole for the cognoscenti. Downstairs is a Restaurant for formal dining, with crisp linen place settings and a subtle hint of tartan.

The McGonagall Room is popular with discreet diners, seating up to forty two guests in rare seclusion, whilst other booths are available for those private business discussions. The traditional Piano Bar, hung with a fine collection of antique bonds and share certificates, offers classic cocktails from the jazz era.

The Head Chef at Boisdale of Bishopsgate is Neil Churchill, who offers a blend of traditional and modern British cooking, with ingredients sourced directly from Scotland, including haggis, salmon, game, lobster, shellfish and cheese.

Who could fail to be tempted by first courses such as shellfish bisque with whipped tarragon cream; smoked pancetta wrapped venison and whisky soaked prune terrine with fig and bitter chocolate chutney; pepper crusted Dunkeld smoked salmon with lemon sour cream or the Stornoway black pudding and smoked haddock brandade with poached egg and truffle Hollandaise?

That could be followed by the finest quality 28 day matured Scottish beef, Aberdeen Angus short horn cross breed, direct from the estate of the Duke of Buccleuch with a choice of sauces from Béarnaise sauce to mash, spinach, wild mushrooms and truffle honey jus, or, if you prefer fish, there is a selection of dishes, while vegetarians are also catered for.

All of Boisdale of Bishopsgate's facilities are available for private parties and corporate functions - particularly at weekends when large gatherings can be accommodated, at exceptionally reasonable prices. There's live jazz each evening from 6.00 - 9.00pm at the Piano Bar.

Whilst Boisdale does not set out be a cheap restaurant, they do offer good value set menus at both lunch and dinner, with more information available on their Website.