Bank Aldwych Restaurant & Bar (closed) Overview
Bank Aldwych Restaurant & Bar ceased trading in July 2007.
Established in 1996, Bank Aldwych was the first of the Bank Restaurants to open. Set in the heart of theatreland and five minutes walk from Covent Garden, Bank is housed, as the name suggests, in an old converted Bank building and is on the corner of The Strand and Kingsway.
With the front of the building mainly glass you'll be surprised at the feeling of privacy as you sit in the main bar area over looking the busy street. The bar staff at this venue are both friendly and well trained, and are more than happy to guide you through the 100 cocktails they have on offer, as well as suggest other interesting concoctions that are not on the menu. Drinks are, as you would expect with this quality of venue, not cheap. But if they were you'd be surprised and probably question why.
Moving effortlessly from the bar, and past the large open kitchen, the restaurant to the rear opens up into a larger area but once again feels intimate when dinning. On the Friday we visited there were birthday parties, groups of girls out, couples having romantic meals and some of the older generation enjoying the atmosphere, but the clientele are predominantly suits unwinding from a day at the office.
The service in the restaurant matches the high standards of the bar and the food was simply superb. Highly recommended was the Seared Tuna or Wild Mushroom Risotto for starters, followed by the Grilled Seabass or Grilled Venison Steak. Portions were perfect, with a clean presentation which clearly focused on the quality of the dish. The menu has a wide selection of starters and light meals at around £8, and a more refined main course selection ranging from £12 to £20. Desserts are around £6 and special mention must go to the Sticky Toffee Pudding: delicious.
If you're feeling patriotic and for sure adventurous you could try their Pinot Noir from Kent, a light summery red that wasn't to our taste but will probably be popular when the weather is warm. Personally we preferred the Argentinan Malbec, which has a far fuller body with spicy undertones. Wine ranges from their £15 House up to their French Pauillac at a tad over £150. A little over our budget this time, maybe on our next visit after a word with the 'Bank' manager...
Bank Aldwych has a buzzing and lively atmosphere. The venue is unpretentious and perfect for taking your dad, clients, friends or lover. The only dilemma is whether to go for the cocktail option before or after the dinning. Our advice: do both. (Updated 23/07/2007)
Additional Info: Cocktails, Security, Cocktails Recommended, Food Recommended, Late License, Food, Children Allowed, Cloakroom, Disabled Access, Live Music, Outside Drinking
Nearby Venues:
- Homage, International (0.12km)
- Rez's Cucina Italiana Restaurant, Italian (0.19km)
- Oops Restaurane & Vinateria, Spanish (0.19km)
- Loch Fyne Covent Garden, Fish (0.19km)
- Taste of India, Indian (0.19km)
- Lobby Bar @ One Aldwych (The), Eclectic (0.19km)
- Axis Restaurant & Bar, British (0.19km)
- Indigo, European (0.19km)
- Sofra (Covent Garden), Middle Eastern (0.19km)
- Christopher's - The American Bar & Grill, American (0.20km)
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