and foodies all over so when she picked this cosy restaurant along Drury Lane, it felt like a win-win for us both.
The café-cum-resto’s farm-to-fork concept is fairly apparent in the menu and its ambience. It cosy and cutesy and feels more like stepping into a barnyard kitchen prepped for a little intimate dinner rather than a restaurant in central London.
We kicked off the night with negronis which were rather more potent than I’d expected. Definitely a winner in my book.
For starters, D ordered the ox cheek and cheddar croquettes (£6). These balls of flavour were a winner. Crunchy, salty, and perfectly shaped, I had massive food envy but glad D had a really awesome dish.
I went for the fried squid with curry mayo (£8.5) served with a generous portion of minted peas. I liked this dish enough, but I’ve had better calamari before.
I went fishy and ordered the seared monkfish with grilled baby artichoke (£15.5) which came with toasted spelt, samphire and white wine sauce. The cook on the monkfish was perfect and the seasoning was spot on. I’m a fan of artichoke and was slightly disappointed that mine went a bit mushy but the spelt was cooked the way I liked it and added a bit of texture.
Bellies sufficiently satisfied, we decided to share a dessert and went for the mini cinnamon sugared doughnuts with caramel cream (£6). Unfortunately, this was a let-down. The dough was quite pasty and didn’t sit well in our palates. The caramel tasted burnt, too.
Service was quite relaxed, if not a bit slow at times, but the staff were quite friendly and knowledgeable about their menu and sourced ingredients. Overall, it’s a decent enough place to catch up with friends and family and the homey ambience does it well. I may have had high expectations for the food but even though it was a bit of a hit and miss, it does taste like comfort, as if made by a really good cook at home.
We rounded up the night in Lab where we were treated to amazing cocktails (as always) and cheeky chocolate-coconut vodka shots because what’s a birthday dinner without shots, aye?
Jar Kitchen
176 Drury Lane, Covent Garden, London WC2B
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I had a really lovely meal there a few months ago. So not what you expect from somewhere right in Covent Garden.
That's true! It's so un-touristy and quaint. =) They didn't have the pork belly you had which sounds lovely! x
This looks like a place I'd like… Will make sure I check it out next time I'm around Soho!
Sandra | Cake + Whisky
Go for it, Sandra! They're still relatively new but I reckon w/ a bit more experience they'll be really really good!
Looks like a nice enough place, and hopefully they'll only get better with time x
Mehreen A | wrapyourlipsaroundthis.com
I hope it's just opening jitters! They do have a lovely concept and their cosy ambience is a welcome break from all the touristy spots in Covent Garden!
I hadn't heard of Jar Kitchen but Covent Garden is crying out for good eateries so I'd definitely check it and its croquettes out!
Suze | LuxuryColumnist
It's quite a tiny space along Drury Lane and they've only opened up 4 months ago. Do give it a try, Suze. =)
Oh somewhere new for me to discover! Huge shame about those doughnuts. The ox cheek would be right up my street.
Zoe | Love and Limoncello
Zoe, those ox cheeks were lush! x
Beyond delicious!
lena
http://skinnycature.com/way-to-feel-free/