The Greenwich restaurant scene has been given a real boost thanks to this spot
The Rivington Grill in Greenwich was part of the Caprice group and was the second outpost of the restaurant, with the original being in Shoreditch (now Blacklock). Closed and never reopened after the pandemic, the site stood empty for a long time but has recently been reborn as Highroad Social, the debut restaurant from David O’Brien, who was former Development Director at Caprice Holdings.
Eat This
In the kitchen is Irish Head-Chef Fionnan Flood (ex-The Chelsea Pig), who’s come up with an excellent menu of casual, modern British dishes.
From the snacks we can highly recommend the cheese puffs with crushed walnut and back pepper honey; the Glamorgan pork croquette with toffee apple sauce; and – best of all – the battered smoked Londoner sausage, with puffed pieces of crackling like rice crispies and a port reduction sauce.
We’re a sucker for a raw bar and went for the Scottish scallop with Granny Smith and lemon balm, and the handpicked Cornish crab from this section. There’s also a very fresh broad bean and mint dip served with crisp breads that’s well worth getting.
Standout from the mains was the whole Dover sole served with a creamy caviar sauce and sea vegetables – don’t forget to add a side of Whitstable samphire and wild mushrooms too.
Another big sharer for dessert – an exemplary sticky toffee ginger pudding with vanilla ice cream. We couldn’t resist the excellent treacle tart with clotted cream either.
Drink This
Bar Manager Clark Crown (ex-Palomar) has put together a great cocktail list using independent producers – we were very happy to see 58 & Co spirits on the menu so went for the “Olive”, a twist on the classic martini, blending 58 & Co olive oil vodka with Knightor Cornish dry vermouth and celery bitters.
Why Go
Greenwich is not a part of London known for its restaurants, dominated as it is by big chains and tourist traps. Highroad Social is a very welcome change to all that – a proper restaurant, offering serious modern cooking right in the heart of town.
Key Information
Address | 178 Greenwich High Rd, London SE10 8NN
For more information | highroadsocial.com