FoodGoblin reviews The Refinery, a newly launched bistro and bar near Warren Street and London Euston, London.
Amazing cocktails, decent food and a beautiful, Scandinavian inspired space.
Amazing cocktails, decent food and a beautiful, Scandinavian inspired space.
7/10
5 Brock Street, Regent’s Place NW1 3FG
0845 468 0106
http://regentsplace.therefinerybar.co.uk/
@FoodGoblin1
facebook.com/FoodGoblin
Video & editing by Callum Male (@Callum_M)
Transcript:
This week’s review is newly launched restaurant and bar The Refinery. It is set in the most beautiful space. Floor to ceiling windows beam light into a Scandinavian styled restaurant decked out with furs, natural timbers and quirky brass lighting. The kitchen is open plan and a statement bar crowns one end of the space.
To be honest, I went to The Refinery expecting nothing from the drinks. This was my biggest surprise. The cocktail list is massive and really excitingly put together. We began with a take on a classic Mint Julep, made with rye whisky, spiced rum and lapsung souchong tea. This is served with a Julep Strainer – a device invented to stop gentlemen getting their moustaches wet.
Next, a ‘Do it yourself’ Negroni and an odd little Goldfish in a Bag cocktail – literally served in a bag with a grapefruit zest goldfish and edible lily pads– and an espresso martini made with mascarpone.
Compared to this extraordinary cocktail list, the food is less exceptional whilst remaining perfectly decent. We kicked off with a flatbread topped with salty goats cheese, figs and a honey produced right here in London. It was my highlight of the meal and was really quite delicious. The crispy squid with ‘firecracker’ sauce needed a bit more fire in its cracker but was otherwise tasty. Mains continued well with a nicely cooked steak served alongside half a lobster which was perfectly juicy and dripping in garlic butter. I also tried their cottage pie with sweet potato mash which was fine, but could really have done with some sides.
For dessert I tried a Baked Alaska which is icecream, surrounded with sweet Italian meringue and finished off under a hot grill, and their trio of desserts which included a chocolate brownie and a winterberry crumble that really needed some custard.
I liked The Refinery. It’s the sort of place I could quite happily find myself relaxing in for hours, wiling away my afternoon and sipping away at more than a couple of cocktails. 7 out of 10 stars from me.
This week’s review is newly launched restaurant and bar The Refinery. It is set in the most beautiful space. Floor to ceiling windows beam light into a Scandinavian styled restaurant decked out with furs, natural timbers and quirky brass lighting. The kitchen is open plan and a statement bar crowns one end of the space.
To be honest, I went to The Refinery expecting nothing from the drinks. This was my biggest surprise. The cocktail list is massive and really excitingly put together. We began with a take on a classic Mint Julep, made with rye whisky, spiced rum and lapsung souchong tea. This is served with a Julep Strainer – a device invented to stop gentlemen getting their moustaches wet.
Next, a ‘Do it yourself’ Negroni and an odd little Goldfish in a Bag cocktail – literally served in a bag with a grapefruit zest goldfish and edible lily pads– and an espresso martini made with mascarpone.
Compared to this extraordinary cocktail list, the food is less exceptional whilst remaining perfectly decent. We kicked off with a flatbread topped with salty goats cheese, figs and a honey produced right here in London. It was my highlight of the meal and was really quite delicious. The crispy squid with ‘firecracker’ sauce needed a bit more fire in its cracker but was otherwise tasty. Mains continued well with a nicely cooked steak served alongside half a lobster which was perfectly juicy and dripping in garlic butter. I also tried their cottage pie with sweet potato mash which was fine, but could really have done with some sides.
For dessert I tried a Baked Alaska which is icecream, surrounded with sweet Italian meringue and finished off under a hot grill, and their trio of desserts which included a chocolate brownie and a winterberry crumble that really needed some custard.
I liked The Refinery. It’s the sort of place I could quite happily find myself relaxing in for hours, wiling away my afternoon and sipping away at more than a couple of cocktails. 7 out of 10 stars from me.
