If you’re yet to feel festive, stepping inside South Place Chop House will certainly change that.
This snug and sophisticated dining space, located inside the South Place Hotel, is positively fizzing with Christmas spirit and boasts a festive set menu sure to capture your attention.
South Place Chop House is a quintessentially British restaurant, and it has a lovely buzz to it, and you can tell it’s a place for everyone, with date nights going on, too busy and boozy post-work dinners with colleagues.
South Place Chop House is a quintessentially British restaurant, and it has a lovely buzz to it, and you can tell it’s a place for everyone, from cosy date nights to busy and boozy post-work dinners with colleagues. Despite the popularity of the restaurant, the dining experience is intimate, with tables spaced just the right amount apart to provide privacy most crave when eating out. The restaurant doesn’t lack charm and it has a lovely warmth about it, with windows that overlook the well-liked terrace.
The festive set menu, which is available until 24 December, caters for every palette with its options.
The festive set menu, which is available until 24 December, caters for every palette with its options. We began with the tiger prawn cocktail. A prawn cocktail isn’t normally something I’d opt for, but something about this one intrigued me, and I didn’t regret my decision. It was presented beautifully, it tasted fresh and the tiger prawns were so delicious.
Served with brown crab, gem leaves and red onion, it wasn’t overpowering on the sauce so you didn’t feel too full ahead of the mains. Also on the tempting starter list are delights including creamed celeriac soup, woodland mushroom arancini and pheasant and smoked bacon terrine.
Choosing the main course was no easy feat… because all dishes sounded excellent.
Choosing the main course was no easy feat… because all dishes sounded excellent. Fish options are rife, with battered haddock fillet with mushy peas and a seared Peterhead cod loin on the menu. There’s also confit Aylesbury duck and braised longhorn rib for the meat eaters. Given Chop House’s reputation when it comes to steak, ordering something meaty was a must.
We tried the rib, which came with shin croquette, Savoy cabbage and horseradish mash. It fell off the fork so easily and was truly delicious, with each flavour complimenting the next. The cod loin also found its way onto the table and it delivered – with the chowder making for a perfect pairing with the delicious fish.
I am a savoury over the sweet person and the starter and main left me with room to squeeze in a bit more, so the cheeseboard was a must.
I am a savoury over the sweet person and the starter and main left me with room to squeeze in a bit more, so the cheeseboard was a must. The board boasted a selection of British cheeses, served with quince jelly and Damsel Miller biscuits. I must admit, I wasn’t blown away by the board but that is only a reflection of my particular palette, with which one of the cheeses didn’t impress.
Where the cheeseboard fell slightly short for me personally, it was brought up by a delicious pear and almond tart which we also tried, served with rum and raisin ice cream. I could’ve eaten 20, and that’s coming from someone who doesn’t have a big sweet tooth! You can opt to finish off your meal with tea and coffee – of which our version is a negroni and boy, do South Place Chop House do good negronis.
For drinks, you can opt for a bottle of white or red house wine too, should you fancy.
For drinks, you can opt for a bottle of white or red house wine too, should you fancy. And, as it’d be rude not to, we washed down our meal with their delicious house white seeing as our feast was particularly fish heavy. It was crisp and flavoursome and did just the job.
South Place Chop House is a restaurant many have come to know because they deliver such effortlessly moreish food with elegance and in an environment you could while away many hours in, enjoying drinks and company.
South Place Chop House is a restaurant many have come to know because they deliver such effortlessly moreish food with elegance and in an environment you could while away many hours in, enjoying drinks and company. It’s not just the festive menu on offer either, with much more to enjoy in the way of Sunday roasts with ALL the trimmings. Yes, Yorkshire puds too. There are also many British favourites on their menu, including steak and chips, and it’s a popular spot for bottomless brunch at the weekend.
Would I return? Absolutely. I am eager to sit on the terrace when it’s warmer and enjoy a glass of rose or two, and trying the steak is an absolute must. As this venue states on their drinks menu, a famous F. Scott Fitzgerald quote, “First you take a drink, then the drink takes a drink, then the drink takes you.” Let this come true, and visit this restaurant at your nearest availability!
We reviewed South Place Hotel earlier this year, make sure you check it out.
✔️ Overall Rating – 8/10
📍 The City of London
💰 ££
👨🍳 Our Expert @lottie_hulme
Celebrity Restaurant Writer
