About Time you tried: The food at Balcon LondonBy Rishma Dosani
When you think of Piccadilly Circus, what do you think? Be honest, fine dining isn’t the first thing that comes to mind. Well it should be, after you sample the stunning food that The Balcon London has to offer.
Just around the corner from the bustling Circus and bright lights, The Balcon is nestled within the stylish streets of Pall Mall and, just from stepping through the doors you can see it really is a credit to the area.
High ceilings, grand staircases and spacious seating make you feel instantly at home and with a glass in your hand, and the sun is beaming through the windows, the booming streets of central London feel like a world away.
If you don’t believe me, go and try it for yourself and tell me that you don’t feel like you’re somewhere *slightly* closer to the equator.
But if you’re looking at these pictures, and reading this description and thinking that it’s above and beyond your budget, think again. It’s not. You can get a starter, a main, a dessert AND a glass of wine (maybe a few) and not break the bank.
French food is an unturned stone in my world, I’ve never given it much of a go as there’s always been other things on the menu but not anymore. The Balcon have the perfect blend of French and English cuisine, so you’ll recognise items on the menu but with a twist that you won’t forget in a hurry.
I started with a mix of gin marinated salmon and a carrot, beetroot and goats cheese salad and it was unlike anything I’ve tasted before. The salmon was presented in a unique way, layered in a jam jar, and it was soft, fresh, and perfect against the crunch of vegetables.
For my main, it was an incredibly tough choice but I went with the mushroom risotto and poached egg. Trust me when I say I’m a mushroom risotto connoisseur, it’s my go to dish on every menu. The Balcon excel at everything they produce, from the staff, to the location, from the layout to the food, and the mushroom risotto is no exception to that.
Simply put, it was delicious.
The wine, the views, the food and the beyond brilliant staff, there’s not a thing I could criticise about my afternoon at The Balcon.
But don’t just take my word for it, book a table and experience it all yourself, at 8 Pall Mall, London SW1Y 5NG. Go for a quiet lunch, go for afternoon tea, head down for drinks after a trip to the built in spa, just go! Visit their website to see the menu and book a table.
I’ll hopefully be seeing you there again soon!
