Holborn Dining Room & Delicatessen (Bar, Restaurant, Hotel)

Top 10 things to know about Holborn Dining Room:

1) Dining out is an exhausting business, best avoided by sensible people who know that a light, early supper followed by bed before ten is the key to a long and happy life. 

2) However, instead of going home for an episode of Masterchef and some Chicken broth on a Wednesday evening, a friend and I, reckless cohorts who court danger at every turn, headed to the Holborn Dining Room for an indulgent meal.

3) I know, I know, some light, soporific activity can help prepare you for slumber, but I prefer the low murmur of conversation and a bit of general buzz, found in abundance at this new Central London restaurant.

4) Luckily, suiting with our devil-may-care attitudes, we were placed in the centre of the large restaurant where we could see all the action. Waiters dressed in slightly crumpled shirts and trousers, styled from depression era USA, bustled about with large trays.

5) Those sharing in our dining satisfaction were a mix of special occasion groups: girls toasting someone’s birthday with cocktails; some loving couples; business folk.

6) Of course, for wild ones like us, once out we were committed. It had to be for the full works. The grilled prawn starter was delicious, succulent and well portioned. The scallop served on lentils was perfectly cooked, but as always with scallops, sadly too little.

7) Throwing caution, and cholesterol levels to the wind, my companion and I went for meaty mains, steak for him, lamb for me, both cooked perfectly to specification.

8) We manfully continued onto desert, a treacle and whisky pudding, which didn’t taste of whisky and was a bit dull, but the St Clements posset, containing refreshing pieces of blood orange, hit the spot.

9) Sitting back after our dinner, accompanied by a tasty bottle of their own label wine, we ruminated on the choice we had made. Yes, we could be at home, with slippers on, but instead we were sitting on red leather seats, surrounded by brass trimmings and bare light bulbs.

10) All in all, we thought as we staggered to the bus, dining at the Holborn Dining Room is a delightful way to not be sensible....read more