The Grafton House Overview
The sliding glass doors of Grafton House are the first indication that this place is top notch. Not that places where you have to manually open a door to get in can’t be swanky, but it adds an element of luxury. The bar, with its many colourful attributes, is the first thing that greets you. As you pause for thought you will find yourself peering though a window looking onto the raised-up dining area. But before one climbs the steps to fill ones' belly, it is irresistible not to have a few pre-dinner drinks in the front bar area. It is a lavish delight of furnishing comfort, designed to bring anyone to a climax of relaxation. But don’t think for a minute that you can rock up here in your sweats to slouch on their sofas while you get intoxicated. This place is classy. Remember the doors.
So, last Tuesday, when I waited for my friend to arrive, I was glad that I had made the effort. Having a late dinner date can be surprisingly pleasant, because it gives you the opportunity to have a good look around. The fact that my eyes immediately fell onto the drinks menu, perched in the centre of my table, probably says more about me than the menu. Champagne can be ordered, not only by bottle, but also by the glass. And what they have on offer is the proper stuff - Don Perignon ’98 and Christal Brut ’96 – just to name but two. If you don’t want any of the bubbly then they have a more than generous wine list. Not to mention a huge spirit list, and what I mean by that, is that Grafton House stock around 10 different kind gins, rums, vodkas, whiskeys, bourbons, cognacs, tequilas, armagnacs and calvados.
Although you could easily spend the entire evening knocking back drinks in the bar, it would be a shame to miss out on the food. The restaurant with its open kitchen serves some of the tastiest dishes around. The Bosworth Log goats cheese and wild English beetroot tart with beetroot leaves sound like a lot of beetroot, but it’s an ideal combi of tastes. For the more carnivorous amongst us, the rare beef salad with lambs lettuce, tomatoes and horseradish cream is delish and to my taste was perfectly cooked.
The pasta and risotto dishes have a separate section on the menu and can either be order as a starter or main course. The Braised Welsh marsh lamb parpadelle with confit baby turnips and lamb jus is a meat and pasta feats not for the faint hearted, but each bite is like a little party of flavours. For a slightly lighter, but by no means less flavoursome dish, try the Black-leg chicken breast, spinach, cocotte potatoes and foie gras jus.
The service at Grafton House is friendly and accommodating, creating the full compliment to an already high standard establishment. (Updated 19/09/2006)
Additional Info: Food, Private Rooms, Hire Available, Non-Smoking Area, Live Music
Nearby Venues:
- Mooli, Italian (0.14km)
- Bella Mbriana, [Other/Unclassified] (0.18km)
- Trinity, Modern Eclectic (0.21km)
- Rapscallion (The), Modern Eclectic (0.23km)
- Sequel (The), Italian (0.37km)
- Gastro, French (0.37km)
- Kasbah, [Other/Unclassified] (0.37km)
- Lost Society, Eclectic (0.38km)
- Bison & Bird, Eclectic (0.41km)
- Esca, Eclectic (0.41km)
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