1 Blossom Street Overview
10 minutes walk from Liverpool Street station, the reflective glass of the financial district is just starting to peter our and a hints of the older, more characterful backstreets of Spittalfields and Brick Lane fill the shadows. Taking a couple of turns away from Bishopsgate, we duck into the entrance of 1 Blossom Street, up a smart-looking pathway and discover a secret walled garden which looks perfect for summer dining. Unfortunately it's only open for lunches though, but who else would be daft enough to hang around the financial district at seven pm on a gorgeous summer evening, apart from workaholics and restaurant reviewers?
Heading down into the basement restaurant, 1 Blossom Street is a modern Italian affair - easy, airy, and open-plan with fresh tones on the walls, contemporary artwork and smart, confident staff who are friendly without being intrusive. In fact, it's exactly what you would hope for from an establishment which caters for a predominantly City crowd.
We kicked off with the statutory ice cold G&Ts which were delivered promptly with two melt-in-the-mouth canap's; unexpected and delicious. Blossom has menus for all occasions - the canap's menu is full of tasty morsels, several party menus for larger groups, a daily set menu for £20 (three courses) and a fantastic wine list - ranging from £15 to £300+ - in addition to a la carte choices. Starter courses range from £5 - £10, and include bresaola cones filled with a fluffy goats cheese mousse with orange zest and rocket; plump scallops, lightly seared and served with wonderfully crunchy baked saffron risotto - both delicious.
Expect to pay £13 - £17 for a main. My monkfish fillet stuffed with king prawns, aubergine, cannelloni beans and tomato looked beautiful; the fish was well-cooked, the ingredients fresh but sadly none of the flavours really overtook the dish. Likewise, my companion's medallions of pork with white cabbage, brandy apples and sautï¿1/2ed potatoes narrowly missed the spot... good food that didn't quite pack the final punch. Tables turned at the end of the evening with the arrival of pears poached in Barolo wine with home-made cinnamon ice cream - bursting with flavour and indulgently drizzled with chewy caramel.
Blossom is definitely worth a look if you are out to lunch in this part of London - a smart, friendly restaurant with fantastic wines, three excellent private function rooms (no hire charge but minimum spend applies), a good selection of contemporary Italian food and possibly the best kept secret garden in the city.
Sarah Elliott
During summer monthes the secluded garden is open for lunches. (Updated 25/06/2007)
Additional Info: Children Allowed, Food, Disabled Access, Cocktails, Cloakroom, Cocktails Recommended, Outside Drinking, Hire Available
Nearby Venues:
- Spice E1, Indian (0.13km)
- Light Bar and Restaurant (The), International (0.14km)
- Drunken Monkey (The), Chinese (0.14km)
- Hawksmoor, Eclectic (0.16km)
- Canteen, British (0.17km)
- Corney & Barrow (Exchange Square), Eclectic (0.20km)
- Meson Los Barriles, Spanish (0.23km)
- Industry, European (0.26km)
- Sausage & Mash Cafe (Brushfield Street), British (0.27km)
- Arkansas Cafe, American (0.28km)
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