When the storms set in blowing trees on our nation’s rails and causing as great a standstill as London Midland strikes, no longer let us wring our hands in greyscale waiting rooms, munching on some toxically processed cling film snack. Head on over the road to a little place I discovered the other week; Karpo, set in the Hotel Megaro.
| This little nook boasts a shady, subterranean cocktail lounge, the Megaro Bar, rimmed with contemporary low slung sofas, with just the right amount of cosy to go with their cool, and a sophisticated drinks menu. Try the Lavender Hill Mob Fizz for a light spritz of summer’s field freshness, or go heady with a Perry Mason and the Perjured Parrot, made from Four Roses bourbon and pear cider. I drank both and wobbled more than wandered my way up to the main Karpo dining room for some modern British chow. |  |
The menu is fundamentally classical, with a few quirks sprinkled in here and there. We began with beetroot, baked to release its sweetness, paired with goat’s curd, zingy blood orange and crisp nuggets of candied walnut for crunch. An accompanying starter of blackened mackerel fillet and cucumber was also delicious and displayed the right blend of smokiness and lemon. Mains brought me chargrilled venison with sharp red cabbage and a heavy sauce of chocolate. This, plus a ‘deep fried’ cauliflower cheese, rendered this dish as one not for the faint hearted. It was lucky our waiter had recommended light starters for, tasty as it was, it was as intense and rich as meat comes. My highlight of the evening was perhaps a fish main of lemon sole, crispy skin coated with seaweed butter and salty brown shrimps. Worth a trip back.
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And so, when those departure screens clamour ‘no’ and the station floors are looking all too hard, take sanctuary in Karpo. Or better even, just head there anyway. A good find.
Rating: 6.7/10
23-27 Euston Rd, London NW1 2SD
020 7843 2221
http://www.karpo.co.uk/
Rating: 6.7/10
23-27 Euston Rd, London NW1 2SD
020 7843 2221
http://www.karpo.co.uk/
