After opening Granger & Co in Notting Hill in 2011, easy going Aussie chef Bill Granger has just opened his second London restaurant, this time in Clerkenwell. Open from breakfast right through until dinner, Granger & Co has a pretty eclectic menu, drawing on both Asian and Italian influences to offer a bit of a global fusion.
The menu is split into several sections: small plates, bowls and grains, big plates, and pizza. It’s one of those menus where you want to order absolutely everything but it was the small plates section where we came across the most winners. We tried – and LOVED – courgette chips in a crispy tempura batter and nigella seed tahini; heritage tomato salad with onion and basil; korean fried chicken with an amazing chilli and sesame seed dip; and sea bass ceviche with grapefruit and avocado.
From bowls and grains we had crab, chorizo and kim chee fried brown rice and the sticky chilli pork belly from the big plates. The rice dish was pretty damn good but could have done with a little more crab, and the sticky chilli sauce on the pork was perfect but the meat itself was a bit overdone.
Everything was right back on track with two winning desserts however – a huge pavlova with white chocolate, pistachios, strawberries and rosewater cream – and a salted caramel and bitter chocolate pot.
The restaurant itself is really nice with huge windows that look out on to the nearby St James’ Church and the room is decked out with comfy banquette seating and vintage wall lights. All in all, Granger & Co is serving up some great food and is reasonably priced – we’ve heard great things about the brunch too so get down there and check it out.
50 Sekforde Street, London, EC1R 0HA
www.grangerandco.com