Fluid Eating's Review of Henry's Cafe Bar
Henry’s Bar+Café City branch is a large, buzzy bar close to Liverpool Street Station. On a Thursday night the crowd was mostly city types in business suits getting down to some serious after-work drinking.
The ground-floor entry level bar is an impressive space with plenty of polished wood and many spots to perch while sipping your wine, beer or cocktail. The room is somewhat dominated by the staircase leading to the subterranean dining area, above which hangs an interesting-looking, mottled black-and-orange chandelier that lends an air of quirky grandeur.
Downstairs, the massive room is divided by said staircase, several alcoves and a clever combination of carpeted areas, tiles and wooden flooring. A mix of dining tables and couches offers flexible seating for parties of two, four or more. The feeling here is understated but cheerful with a pleasant colour scheme of ochre, olive, and daffodil.
We started with cocktails from the comprehensive and affordable selection on offer (£5.95 with early-bird deals Mon-Fri). An innovative Raspberry Bellini (they were out of peach) was fruity with the right amount of fizz and the Martini suitably dry, as requested.
Food is standard pub fare: starters, club and ‘deli’ sandwiches, burgers, pastas, more substantial mains and sharing plates. My 8oz British Beef Burger with flat mushroom and Stilton topping, while served with a smile, was rather tough and tasteless. My companion’s 6oz sirloin steak was not much better, and had us wondering if the cook’s scales were working as both meals seemed undersized for their advertised ounces. Unfortunately, even the fries were underwhelming. It’s hard to get chips wrong, so this counted as a black mark in my book.
All in all, this is a great big bar with a pleasant feel, where you’re almost guaranteed to find a seat, or at least somewhere to perch. The location in a quiet road and its proximity to Liverpool Street make it ideal for after work drinks if you’re in the area. If you’re starving or have had one too many on the boss’s credit card, the food is adequate, but nothing to write home about.
The staff are friendly and efficient but not too in your face, which is just what you want in this kind of establishment. They really lifted what was otherwise a fairly mediocre experience.
Reviewed by Claire Doble
Description:
Situated in the heart of the city, Henry's is split on two floors, successfully combining a busy restaurant with a relaxing bar environment. Transforming in the evenings into a vibrant, charming venue Henry's in the City is ideal for after work drinks, hen nights, private functions, corporate functions or even a party venue. (Updated 09/03/2009)
Henry's Cafe Bar Food & Drink Menus
Listed below are few sample food and drinks items available at
Henry's Cafe Bar. These lists are not enhaustive, but are instead designed to give you an overview of the venue's
offerings and assciated prices.
Henry's has a freshly prepared flavoursome menu served throughout the day, including a variety of buffet options, an array of platters and a specials menu to tickle the most sophisticated taste-buds.
Henry's Cafe Bar Food menu
Henry's Cafe Bar Drink menu
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