Bill Granger’s most recent venture sees the serial restaurateur open the latest in line of his international restaurants in London’s Clerkenwell. The Australian’s second in the capital, its elegant dining room is housed in an Art Deco building with large windows and clean Scandi-inspired interiors – courtesy of designers Meacham Nockles McQualter – with views of St. James’ Church, bringing the greenery of the square cascading into the space. An impressive Red Cedar ceiling compliments the comfy leather banquettes that circle the room, modern handmade chairs sitting across from them. 1960s Italian wall lamps accent the design, whilst artworks by Australians Polly Borland and Eliza Hutchinson, and pottery by Paul Davis, all balance the speckless aesthetic.
Open seven days a week, the all-day-all-night eatery offers global dining inspired by East to West flavours from Hawaii, Australia and Japan. On glance the menu presents ‘burger, pizza and small plates’ but it offers a lot more in terms of taste and flair. We started with a most tangy apple, elderflower, basil and vodka cocktail – visually matching the interiors to a tee. A starter of kohlrabi salad with slithers of brassicaceae arranged like icing on a cake, and topped with sesame seeds, also looked the part. It’s the fried Korean chicken on a bed of coriander and lime that really surprises with its heat. The juiciest tempura prawns came with another unfussy spicy dip with more welcome fire. The shrimp burger with melon radish just another generous and flavoursome dish that packed more punch than I’d expected, thanks to its jalapeño mayo. Pleasantly surprised by the passion for fire I liked that the food wasn’t too elaborated on – good, simple and with a lot of personality.
The atmosphere at Granger & Co. Clerkenwell is a mixture of laid-back casualness and airy design. Considering its architectual neighbours, the restaurant could not be more at home – and is a great spot for all day drinking and dining. Ice cool aesthetic, blazing hot tang, embrace the split personalities of Granger’s latest…
Photo © We Heart
Photo © Mikkel Vang
Photo © We Heart
Photo © Mikkel Vang
Photo © Mikkel Vang
Photo © We Heart
Photo © Mikkel Vang
