Palm Court Brasserie

Believed to have opened on February 14 1993, this is a bright, welcoming, comfortable, happy restaurant serving modern Mediterranean cuisine based on sound traditional principles. It also enjoys a location slap bang in the middle of Covent Garden, a few steps from the Piazza.

Leafy plants abound and entice one into the pleasant interior where crisp white table cloths and beautiful table settings bid welcome. The restaurant almost falls into three sections, an outer, middle and inner sanctum. Mirrors abound to add a sense of space and an intimate reflection of candle light and flowers. The middle part of the restaurant has a splendid red wooden ceiling which adds to the already comforting, unhurried ambiance.

A good suggestion for starters is the sharing platter for a minimum of two people which includes tomato & olive bruschetta, Swordfish and lime skewers, Chicken liver parfait and seared chorizo. Individual starters include Angus beef fillet carpaccio with shaved parmesan and horseradish dressing. Main courses combine interesting textures and tastes. Consider the Chargrilled swordfish with minted couscous and salsa verde or seared peppered venison with roast root vegetables and juniper jus. And the traditionalist should not miss the steak frites with béarnaise sauce and French fries. Tempting salads such as avocado Caprese are on hand and there are daily specials displayed on the blackboard. Indeed the menu changes at least in part every week. A sound pasta selection hosts favourites such as gorgonzola gnocchi and penne arabiatta and desserts exist to tempt all those on a diet back to the land of the living. Try resisting the chocolate & hazelnut brownie with chocolate sauce and vanilla ice cream!

The excellent house wine costs a very reasonable £12.95 and there is a small but carefully selected wine list costing on average £16/bottle and which perfectly compliments the cuisine.

A la carte dining for two with three courses and one bottle of wine would cost about £60 which is first class value for the excellent standards prevailing. As always an individual reading of the menu will produce a range of price and the set menu offers two courses for £9.95 and three for £11.95 which is absolutely wonderful.

Finally, the service is youthful, gracious and utterly helpful.