The Loft managed to get the lofty position of restaurant of the week a couple of months ago back on tastelondon and ever since then, I've wanted to go. The positive reviews about the place have only spurred me on and so me, along with the lovely Elaine, finally got our feet pointed in the direction of The Loft on Tuesday night.
The Loft is really cool inside. Leather seats with arms, black glass tables, glassware, big bar, lovely staff. It looks like a big warehouse and when you're there, you could easily think you're in New York. It's split into two: with a big bar/seating/chill-out area and a small-ish restaurant and yet you don't feel like it has a split personality. It works well and you don't hear the bar noise which is great when you're mid-conversation.
They had a great 2 for £12 deal on when we went and also 241 on cocktails. This made the night super affordable and with only a £3 surplus for a humongous steak or £2 for gorgeous pork belly, it was well worth it!
- Cocktail: Passion of the Loft (Passionfruit, Zubrowka vodka, Calvados, green chai tea sugar syrup, a hint of peach and apple juice)
- Garlic ciabatta
- Homemade chicken liver pate, served with puy lentils, toast and onion marmalade
- Spiced parsnip soup with a drizzle of herb oil
- Fillet steak, 21-day hung, on a bed of spinach, served with a red wine and shallot jus and
chunky chips
- Gloucester Old Spot pork belly on a potato and celeriac gratin, served with apple chutney
and winter greens
The food? Oh god, the food. It was absolutely scrumptious and hit the spot after a terrible tube trek down to South London. The chicken liver pate was smooth and garlicky and spread onto the bread just brilliantly. The onion chutney was also thick and spread brilliantly, it was lovely tasting too.
I had a sip of the soup and that was sweet & spicy. It was nice and hot and perfect on a cold rainy night and considering the bowl was very empty at the end, Elaine enjoyed it greatly!
My steak was one of the best I've had in a while. A thick, juicy fillet, it was cooked to perfection and my knife sliced through it with no resistance. A great bit of meat and with the chunky chips and the red wine jus, I was in heaven. I have to admit it defeated me - The veg was really kind of surplus after so much food but it made me feel healthy to eat a piece of broccoli.
Elaine's pork belly was also delicious; great-flavoured with crackling on top and a superb dauphinois kind of arrangement consisting of potato and celeriac. It was obvious that the chef had put a lot of attention into creating the menu and the dishes showed both his skill and his attention to detail.
It was a great meal and I couldn't have asked for anything more. I felt happy to pay £20 and although I felt around a stone heavier, it wasn't an 'I feel ill' feeling, more 'I really want more and can't possibly fit any more food in my stomach'. It was really a great experience and a great meal and I would love to go back as soon as I can.
Damage: £20/person
Vitals
The Loft
67 Clapham High Street, London, SW4 7TG
Tel: 020 7627 0792
Website: http://www.theloftclapham.com/
Nearest tube: Equidistance between Clapham North & Clapham Common
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