Even on a Monday night, Dean Street Townhouse was rammed, can't imagine the chaos of the place on a Friday or Saturday. The greeting on the door, for a place already full up was nevertheless charming and helpful, not a touch of arrogance which really set a good tone for the rest of the meal (first impressions!). We did get lucky though for while we didn't have a booking, we barely had enough time to order a gin and tonic at the bar before we were led to a very good table in the back half of the restaurant where, staring out on to Dean Street itself, we could watch the world go by. There are however also a limited number of outside tables where if you really want to get close...
The menu reads well, nothing overly inventive but food that sounds enticing to eat. From the starters we chose marinated scallops, cucumber and borage, together with a twice baked smoked haddock souffle. We were also enticed by the pheasant eggs with celery salt which came listed as 3/5. When we asked if we could have four, our waiter did seem momentarily stunned and started talking about how they were divided into portions but he didn't say no and came back in the end with four eggs which were really enjoyed, seeing us mop up every grain possible of the celery salt, sad to finish. The haddock souffle was a shade heavy on texture but we really didn't mind because the flavour was first class with great balance. Starters then totally enjoyed.
Broadly think meat and two veg or with chips for Townhouse mains and you're on the money. But there was a dish I couldn't resist, and the cheapest main on the menu, 'mince and potatoes' (£13.50). Intrigued by this, I ordered and expected the worst. I was so wrong, I absolutely adored this dish for the mince had a lovely texture, a satisfying richness, perfect seasoning and bags of flavour. I wouldn't have been more happy even if I had ordered steak. Not complex but satisfying, done so well, I would happily return for this alone. The other main, calves liver, bacon and onion was similarly well received.
Only with desserts did the standard drop a little. Our indecisiveness of old school plates resulted in us getting a selection. What didn't work at all was their contemporary dessert, Hendricks gin jelly with cucumber sorbet, with the sorbet far too icy and the dish overall too sharp. Cherry pie and a slice or two of Battenburg cake suffered from dry pastry and a dry cake generally, while Arctic roll (how many decades since I last had that) could too easily have been bought at an average supermarket.
Overall however, we really did enjoy our meal at Dean Street Townhouse and with three courses from the a la carte costing for the most part £30-£35, it offers a good time and fun food without breaking the bank.
Note on the picture below: The principal light source for the pictures of the food below was a candle on the table (that's what is causing the long shadows). Coupled with the fact that I didn't have my regular blogging camera, we recognise the pictures could be better. Apologies to DST for this. Those in the market for romance might enjoy the lighting though the restaurant itself has a healthy buzz to it.
The menu reads well, nothing overly inventive but food that sounds enticing to eat. From the starters we chose marinated scallops, cucumber and borage, together with a twice baked smoked haddock souffle. We were also enticed by the pheasant eggs with celery salt which came listed as 3/5. When we asked if we could have four, our waiter did seem momentarily stunned and started talking about how they were divided into portions but he didn't say no and came back in the end with four eggs which were really enjoyed, seeing us mop up every grain possible of the celery salt, sad to finish. The haddock souffle was a shade heavy on texture but we really didn't mind because the flavour was first class with great balance. Starters then totally enjoyed.
Broadly think meat and two veg or with chips for Townhouse mains and you're on the money. But there was a dish I couldn't resist, and the cheapest main on the menu, 'mince and potatoes' (£13.50). Intrigued by this, I ordered and expected the worst. I was so wrong, I absolutely adored this dish for the mince had a lovely texture, a satisfying richness, perfect seasoning and bags of flavour. I wouldn't have been more happy even if I had ordered steak. Not complex but satisfying, done so well, I would happily return for this alone. The other main, calves liver, bacon and onion was similarly well received.
Only with desserts did the standard drop a little. Our indecisiveness of old school plates resulted in us getting a selection. What didn't work at all was their contemporary dessert, Hendricks gin jelly with cucumber sorbet, with the sorbet far too icy and the dish overall too sharp. Cherry pie and a slice or two of Battenburg cake suffered from dry pastry and a dry cake generally, while Arctic roll (how many decades since I last had that) could too easily have been bought at an average supermarket.
Overall however, we really did enjoy our meal at Dean Street Townhouse and with three courses from the a la carte costing for the most part £30-£35, it offers a good time and fun food without breaking the bank.
Note on the picture below: The principal light source for the pictures of the food below was a candle on the table (that's what is causing the long shadows). Coupled with the fact that I didn't have my regular blogging camera, we recognise the pictures could be better. Apologies to DST for this. Those in the market for romance might enjoy the lighting though the restaurant itself has a healthy buzz to it.