From the outside its easy to mistake The Rooftop Cafe for an old office block but step in to the lift, take it to the top floor then walk some more…we felt like we were on our way to an underground house party until we stepped in to the restaurant which is anything but. The furniture is all handmade in a style that gives it a relaxed Spanish feel, the kitchen is open plan so you can see the chefs hard at work and with only a couple of staff on the floor there’s a real informal feel which we loved.
Rooftop cafe is open for breakfast and lunch throughout the week and dinner on a Thursday and Friday. We went down to check the dinner menu out which changes daily meaning you get the best that Australian chef Magnus Reid can get on his hands on that day. We started with faggot, puy lentils and watercress and the pancetta, poacher, pear and walnut. Both dishes were presented simple and went well with the vibe of the place. The crisp and salty pancetta complemented the soft pear and crunchy walnut brilliantly, a whole load of texture right there.
For mains it was lamb steak, pink fir, green sauce and swede puree. The steak was huge, served pink it was juicy and tender, just what we needed. We also had the chorizio, beef and chickpea stew which comes with soft fresh, homemade bread, another cracking winter warmer. Dessert was banana cake with salted caramel ice cream and orange cake with creme fresh. Both soft, homemade and just like your granny used to make.
We had a bottle of red with our meal, the vino rosso. All of the wines on the menu are handpicked from traditional growers who focus on sustainability, a trend that flows across the whole menu. Yes that’s right great food and you’re doing your bit for the environment too! At the top of the Shard you may have ‘The View’ but the guys below at the Rooftop Cafe have a pretty impressive terrace themselves. Its set to open in the spring and looks like its going to be huge.
To sum it up we’d say The Rooftop Café is a hidden gem in the heart of the city serving great food that feels like it could be something that would be served at a friends dinner party, a friend we wished we had…No offence guys!
The Exchange 28 London Bridge St, SE1 9SG
http://theexchange.so