The Typing Room, located in the space which previously housed Viajante, Nuno Mendes’s restaurant has some big shoes to fill. Now run by Lee Westcott – backed by Jason Atherton – the restaurant set in the Town Hall Hotel has a pretty relaxed vibe, given the standard of the food which leaves the kitchen.In the kitchen you’ll see Westcott, even on a busy weekend – we’ve heard he’s never missed a service – impressive! There’s two menus, a’ la carte or the 6 course tasting menu, which at £55 is bloody good value. Even before the 6 courses begin, the warm bread arrives, two types, one with chicken fat butter and the other marmite. It’s these combos and details which run throughout the meal and make this one of the best tasting menus we’re eaten yet.
The menu kicks off with a choice of snacks, we go for the cumin lavoche, crab, sweet corn and curried egg and chicken wing ‘drumstick’, wild garlic, potato and lemon – both of which leave us wanting more. The mackerel, passion fruit, burnt cucumber and radish follows, looking just like a piece of art and tasting just as good. Yeasted cauliflower, raisins, capers and mint is – and we never thought we’d say this about cauliflower – one of our favourite courses.
Then comes meaty turbot with heritage tomato, courgette and juicy squid and tender lamb, smoked aubergine, wild garlic, yoghurt and onions. The Dessert of chocolate, amaretto and almond is equally as good and we feel sorry for our social media followers having bombarded them with pictures throughout. It’s that kind of meal, one you want to keep sharing…we’ve already booked to go back!
Patriot Square, Bethnal Green, London E2 9NF
www.typingroom.com