Restaurants come and restaurants go like teenage love affairs, while some continue on mature happily to become institutions, Boisdale is one of these. Founded in 1989 and still in the same ownership of the charming Ranald Macdonald, the restaurant has garnered a loyal following over the years. Starting as a small clubby (think St James’s not Soho), Scottish restaurant it has developed into a promoter of British cuisine. With its negroni bar, live jazz, crimson walls, tartan clad servers and the cigar terrace this might sound like a tourist haunt but quite the reverse, it is a beloved stalwart that deserves your attention.
One of the attractions of Boisdale is that it is more than just a restaurant with its live music, bar, club (members get generous price reductions), and well regarded online wine merchants.
For those who love whisky and cigars it boasts one of the World’s finest whisky collections and having looked in the walk in humidor a wide selection of Cuban cigars in perfect condition (I’ll have a Trinidad Reyes if anyone’s offering).
A friend and I were fortunate to attend their Game Dinner, in the pretty covered Courtyard.
The Game Dinner showcased some of the finest natural produce our country can provide, and a kitchen team more than capable of doing justice to the ingredients.
We sat down to several courses in one of the several dining rooms, accompanied by well-matched wines. We started with wild trout Gravadlax – Scots trout naturally. Then a generous plate of carpaccio of Scottish wild venison.
The main course featured red grouse from the Tweed valley. Grouse is a funny old bird, without due care it can be dry but this was moist and flavoursome. My guest ordered it roasted and proclaimed it to be perfect. I went for the crown and stuffed leg which was excellent bathing in a rich savoury sauce though the foie gras did seem an unnecessary flourish. This reminded one of restaurants in Hungary where the chef pops a liver on top of everything, usually with cream and black cherries too – but I digress. On the next table a diner found the shot in their grouse, I had to explain that it was lucky and not something they should complain about. Some people, really.
Then a cranachan for dessert, which I could’ve eaten twice if given the chance, and finally port with the cheese. All of which was happily enjoyed.
With the attentive servers and Glen, the affable General Manager, our evening was a pleasure, so much so that my dinner guest returned again a few days later pronouncing that the Cullen Skink was one of the best she has ever tasted.
Boisdale doesn’t just serve game or do more that give a firm friendly nod to its Scottish heritage. It offers a broad choice to its guests and is especially known for its steaks. There are a number of menus to choose from including the Great Scottish Brunch, the two course Dinner and Show (live jazz), à la carte, and so on. The set lunch is good value at £29. One can’t help thinking that Burns Night and Christmas must be an absolute hoot – hold that thought.
If you’ve never been, go there and enjoy the Boisdale experience, let the full character of the place come out and embrace you in a warm fuzzy glow of comfortable bonhomie. Long may it continue.
Boisdale also have a restaurant in Canary Wharf which offers a broader range of live music and dining over two floors which is worth checking out if you work or are based in that part of London.
THE INFORMATION
Boisdale Belgravia 13-15 Eccleston Street, London SW1W 9LX
Telephone: 020 7730 6922 – Reservations@boisdale.co.uk – www.boisdale.co.uk
Boisdale Shop: https://boisdale-shop.com
Boisdale Canary Wharf
Cabot Square, Canary Wharf, London E14 4QT – Also accessible within Canary Wharf Shopping Mall
020 7715 5818 – [email protected]
