Hudson's House (Bar, Restaurant)

Top 10 things we learned about the Hudson’s House bar and restaurant when we visited:

1) Situated on the ground floor of the St. Giles Hotel in Bloomsbury, Hudson’s House - with its vast glass-front exterior looking out onto Bedford Avenue - is a short walk from both Tottenham Court Road and Goodge Street stations.

2) The newly-opened venue presents itself as an effortlessly trendy lounge bar and restaurant in which to unwind after the rigours of the day, no doubt spent prowling the shopping streets of Fitzrovia, Bloomsbury and the West End.

3) The décor ticks all the right boxes in this respect, with ornate leather booths and sofas, wood-panel walls and tasteful lighting framing casually discarded klieg lights, frosted glass and candlelit tables.

4) Sophisticated cocktails such as the French 75 and Breakfast Martini certainly walk the walk, and are confidently mixed and presented by the smartly attired, friendly staff in the venue’s central bar area.

5) Ultimately though, Hudson’s House is just a particularly pleasant hotel bar, with no real personality despite its extensive renovations. Huge widescreen TVs and large office parties from nearby workplaces frequently threaten to undermine the louche, hip atmosphere the venue tries so desperately to convey.

6) By way of example, our visit was soundtracked by a never-ending Christmas playlist. I assume this doesn’t play all year round, but it nonetheless betrayed a certain, faintly tragic uncoolness at the heart of the whole enterprise.

7) Similarly, the food is well prepared and relatively affordable, but fails to really get the juices flowing. The seasonal winter menu showcased during our trip brought forth a festive turkey pie with chestnuts and cranberries, followed by a small but tasty chocolate brownie - enjoyable but fairly unremarkable, all told.

8) The wine list is well-considered, and patrons are sure to find something to complement their meal. Beer, real ale and spirits are also readily available at the bar.

9) The venue’s main room is cannily partitioned and can be made available for night time gatherings, business functions, private bookings, brunches and the like.

10) Hudson’s House cannot be faulted for its presentation and menu, but it’s difficult to get worked up about the venue, despite game efforts at branding; a transient, rather unremarkable hotel restaurant and bar by any other name....read more