Having lived in East London for quite some time, the Whitechapel Gallery Dining Room has long been on my radar, and being an Angela Hartnett fan (she is Executive Chef here), I’ve always wanted to go.
So when I finally visited one wet and miserable Friday lunchtime I was quietly confident it would be a charming, delicious experience, and I was absolutely right.
Firstly the dining room is gorgeous – chic and understated with great lighting and acoustics. It has a sort of Tom Ford feel about it with well-made, almost retro wooden furniture and walls lined with mirrors and golden lights to create a sense of privacy and gives a deceptively spacious feel to the cosy room.
Then it was the staff who were hit number two: Hospitable and knowledgeable they conveyed a real passion for the food and wine that they served, effortlessly lifting the experience.
The food at the Whitechapel Gallery Dining Room is largely British, seasonal, small plates that change daily, but this over-used description doesn’t really do it justice. The menu offers simple, familiar ingredients but there are creative touches with clever flavour combinations and well-sourced ingredients.
Indecisive but hungry, we were advised to share a large selection of tapas which delivered lightness and flair alongside moreish and robust. Carpaccio of beef was from such great produce that it sang quality and had a great depth of flavour.
Asparagus spears simply dressed with extra virgin olive oil were so crunchy and succulent I could have happily eaten just those for the rest of the lunch.
But luckily, I was quite rightly advised that dessert was a better option so Pannacotta and Sticky Toffee Pudding were ordered. Served just as you’d hope, they managed to deliver the ideal amount of sugary sweetness to leave us wanting more, but not needing an afternoon lie-down.
The Whitechapel Gallery Dining Room is just a stone’s throw from the city and probably more accessible than most Londoners would have thought. Long, leisurely Friday lunchtimes were made for this.
If you are also a fan of Angela Hartnett’s, her new restaurant, Merchant’s Tavern, opens in September in Shoreditch.
Read our guide to the best restaurants in Shoreditch.
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