With its 7 million odd people crammed into a space the size of a McVities Digestive, London is one of the most hectic places on earth. More dramatic than any soap opera and faster than a game of table tennis, it’s a unique and intoxicating experience to be part of. But take a moment to observe and you’ll find the city is just as fascinating to watch as it is exhilarating to be a part of. Ms Pancake and I decided on front row seats at Skylon to watch the ‘London Show’.
Located within the Royal Festival Hall on the South Bank, Skylon offers a spectacular panorama of London’s skyline, with floor to ceiling windows overlooking the River Thames. The restaurant is split into three areas: the formal main restaurant, the grill area and a small bar area, all of which echo the 1950’s style of the original Royal Festival Hall. We started with a couple of stunning cocktails in the bar which, like the rest of the restaurant, had a great buzz about it.
As one expects, the menu is based on simply prepared seasonal ingredients. Our starters included a wonderfully warming Butternut squash, sweet corn & chorizo soup and a classic Seafood cocktail full of lots of crisp leaves and plump prawns. Mains were a well cooked Lamb shoulder with cous cous and a Scotch fillet steak which was served with the creamiest, most intense béarnaise sauce; just a dab turned the already mild mannered steak into a flavour explosion. Desserts included an stodgy Banana sticky toffee pudding and a slightly bland and over creamy Nougat tiramisu.
Price wise, it was standard London affair with starters at around £8 and mains ranging between £14-£22, and portion sizes were generous. However, add in the amazing view and you’ve pretty much saved yourself the price of tickets to a show at the same time. Book your tickets now!
Food: 3.5/5
Venue: 5/5
Value: 3.5/5
Cuisine type: British
Dinner for 2: £60
Wine: £5
Cocktails: £9
Skylon
Southbank Centre
Belvedere Road
London SE1 8XX
Tel: 020 7654 7800
