The Fable (Bar)

Top 10 things you should know about The Fable:

1) Gather round and I’ll tell you a story about a bar, restaurant and event space in Farringdon with some exciting moments, some evil ogres, an identity crisis and a mystically hard doughnut.

2) The Fable is inspired by fairy tales and (obviously) fables. The interior is peppered with literary references like a wall chalked with author names and a booth made of books. Alice in Wonderland touches abound; salmon ceviche is served in a jar, soused in juice, shaken up and then poured onto a plate; tables are decorated with bushels of herbs.

3) The menu is Once Upon a Time British with classics like chicken in a basket but travels to lands far, far away with nibbles from Japan and Indonesia.  

4) Food comes from some of the best suppliers in London: meat from Allens of Mayfair; fish squeaky fresh; and bread and olive oil from Borough Market.

5) A menu doesn’t tell the whole story. Dover Sole with crab, mussels and brown shrimp got rave reviews, but we were less impressed with a surf and turf burger. Buns stuffed with dry beef and shell-laden, woolly lobster tail. It arrived with superfluous claw cracker and an inedible crayfish head garnish.

6) The Fable loves a novelty drink. We supped a tarragon and mustard infused gin cocktail from a silver tankard and saw many ladies enjoying a cocktail called Goldfish in a Bag - yes, gin served with a goldfish in a bag (OK, it’s grapefruit).

7) This place really is one for girls. Cocktails (some “skinny”) and wine are well executed and delicious, while the menu has several varieties of chip. Booze + DJ + Chips  = ladies night out.

8)  The tasty ice cream parfait was accompanied by a small doughnut so stale, we had a sword in the stone moment trying to cut it in half.

9) The Fable sits below Amazon HQ. With private hire and a florist (for leaving gifts), it makes a great work canteen, and an excellent bar for team drinks. It’s also popular with Hen nights, but it’s not a foodie destination.

10) The Fable works as a bar for drinks after work. Stick to the drinks, which are lovely, and assembled menu pieces - like the Borough Market flat bread laden with delicious cured meet - and it’ll all be happily ever after. ...read more