Eat Here: 1901 Restaurant, The AndazBy Angelica Malin
This hotel is exceptionally good news.
Located a stone’s throw from Liverpool Street station, it has everything to offer the modern traveller, including prime location, awesome bedrooms and great food – read more about the hotel here. Whilst staying in the hotel, you might like to dine in one of its restaurants – they’ve got everything from authentic sushi to fancy British fare.
1901 Restaurant falls into the latter category – offering fine dining in a stunning location. If you’re looking for a special birthday, anniversary or romantic dinner, here’s what you need to know:
1901 Restaurant: The Setting
The restaurant is housed in a beautiful Grade II listed room, which used to be the ballroom of the former Great Eastern Hotel. It still has that feeling of grandeur and luxury; especially with the centrepiece ‘floating’ cocktail bar, where mixologists make creations for the onlooking guests. It’s perfect for birthdays are the restaurant can fit 25-strong groups – and you can rent the room for 250 people for cocktail receptions. The restaurant is all housed under a stunning glass dome; there’s also a cheese and wine cellar. I think everyone’s lives are missing a cheese cellar.
1901 Restaurant: The Drinks
The cocktail menu is epic. Really, epic. In both length and creativity.
We say if in doubt, always go for a bellini: the Rhubarb Bellini with Prosecco and homemade puree is winning. The Passion Martini with Ketel One (which you can read about here) and the Lychee and Ginger Martini wth orange bitters are also dangerously delicious. To perve on all their cocktails, see here.
1901 Restaurant: The Food
The food is a truly British affair. Monday to Saturday they serve Afternoon Tea until 3pm, but the evening a la carte menu is where it all comes to life. The menu lists the component parts of a dish, not its name, which is mega trendy – but we like it, especially with the added detail of listing the location of all the dishes’ ingredients.
For starters, order the scallop and squid from Cornwall – the seafood comes pan fried, on a bed of cauliflower cous cous, with lemon oil and a nice herby kick. The pigeon from Kent, with rhubarb, chicory and prune, is interesting and unusual – the sweet and savoury pairing works very well, and the whole dish is a beautiful symphony of flavours and textures.
For mains, fish wins out. The fish dishes are fresh and delicious – try the Turbot from Cornwall with cep purree, which is unusual but fantastic, with a real earthy mushroom depth adding to the meaty fish. The Cornish Sea Bass is lighter, with a langoustine foam and the sweetness of fresh grapes, and a beautiful dish.
To finish, try the carrot cake, which is really nothing like a carrot cake – with orange sorbet, mascarpone and a lovely burnt orange flavour. The lemon curd pudding is also heavenly – if you like your puddings tart, and with a kick.
1901 Restaurant: The Verdict
This is a fantastic restaurant if you’re looking for something extra special. The prices are higher than usual for the area, but they come with exceptional service and you feel that you’re getting a lot for your money. Make sure to try to book on the last Wednesday of the month, when the hotel hosts Candle-Lit Dinners at no extra charge – read about them here. If glass domes, amazing cocktails and a good cheese are your thing, we think it’s about time you tried 1901 Restaurant.