The heat is stuffy, the temperatures in their thirties. Our outfits border the fine line between weather and office-appropriate, our hands clasp onto Amazon-bought fans working overtime to cool us down. Summer has arrived in London, and while it comes with its drawbacks, there is one thing that makes it all worthwhile: al fresco dining. Refreshing spritzes, crisp rosés and plates of fresh food to transport us to the Med, an evening spent on a terrace amidst the hustle and bustle of London is like no other. On a particularly humid Wednesday evening, we stomached a journey on the stifling tube into Central London to pay a visit to Dalloway Terrace, a highly-rated outdoor restaurant that, in their own words, "is always a good idea."
Google reviews have been kind to Dalloway Terrace, christening it "a gem", "a fabulous find", and "a marvellous experience". However, nothing could have prepared us for the elegant oasis of blooming hydrangeas, peonies, and wild English roses just a hop and a skip from the chaos of Liverpool Street. The retractable roof, heaters and luxury blankets ensure comfort, whatever the weather. However on this warm summer's day, it was the gentle breeze that we truly appreciated.
We nestled in and perused the cocktail menu, deciding that something sparkling was in order. Chosen from the Botanical Cocktail menu, The Albury Estate Spritz is a concoction of Silent Pool Gin, Select Aperitivo, Flora Wild Raspberry Rose, and strawberry basil syrup, a fruity, floral concoction that reflected our vibrant surroundings. We also opted for the Hugo Spritz, a concoction made for the summer: herbal, refreshing, and dangerously moreish.
Following our aperitif, it was time to tuck into the carefully crafted, seasonal menu of European cuisine with British ingredients. In other words, the reason we were here. To begin, was the hand-picked Devonshire Crab, which to our delight, was opulently served in a stainless steel crab-shaped dish. Our fellow starter of choice was the smoked Scottish Salmon with dill, preserved lemon, and mango, drizzled in a tangy herb dressing. Light, fresh, and leaving a slightly sweet aftertaste, we were confident that our choices were the perfect start to an al fresco dining experience.
With our plates squeaky clean, we eagerly anticipated our mains, a combination of sea and land. The whole plaice was tender and moist, served off the bone with a medley of peas, broad beans, and a generous pouring of seaweed butter. The juicy rib-eye of Black Angus Grass-Fed Beef was served with roasted Tropea onion, Café de Paris butter, and golden fries. Our sides of choice were a crisp salad of beef heart tomatoes, shallots and chives as well as artichokes, slowly roasted with a dressing of feta cheese, capers, and lemon-parsley olive oil.
With the sun setting, it was time to wrap up our meal with an indulgent sweet treat. This came in the form of Virginia's Vice, a 70% dark chocolate tart with hazelnut cremeaux, tempered milk chocolate, and chocolate ice cream as well as a classic Vanilla Creme Brûlée with Irish butter shortbread. Our desserts were ordered with the intent of taste-testing for review purposes. In a matter of minutes, the two dishes were devoured, not a crumb in sight.
To conclude, Dalloway Terrace exceeds all expectations of what summer dining in London should be. From the glorious decor and impeccable service to the extensive menu of British classics, fresh seafood, and hand-crafted cocktails, this al fresco oasis ticks all the boxes for a perfect summer's evening.
