It’s tucked discreetly away inside the Marriott Hotel County Hall, and the classic, wood-panelled decor is stylish without being overbearing. The little touches of glam that Gillray’s adds to the restaurant – chandeliers, a bar stacked to the brim with exotic-looking bottles – mean that there’s always something to take in. Despite being in the very heart of touristville (i.e. Central), it’s a deliciously swanky place to spend an evening.
The grub:
Seeing as I like a challenge, I decided to take a vegetarian along to a steak restaurant, but my meat-eschewing friend was delighted with the fare. His seasonal vegetable pie arrived with a golden crust, and the curry and coconut flavoured root vegetables were creamy, well-cooked, and paired well with the truffle and Old Winchester chips. The chips themselves were things of wonder – buttery and crispy on the outside and fluffy inside. I plumped for a delicious bone in fillet steak, which was meltingly tender and cooked perfectly, paired with triple cooked chips. We nearly bailed on pudding as our food was so rich, but decided to bravely soldier on. My flourless chocolate cake was as close to perfection as a cake will ever get, and my friend’s trio of sorbets and ice creams was the perfect finish.
Behind the bar:
The cocktails on offer are bound to please, Black Bramble is a decadent, fruity treat, and the ginger and ginseng-infused At Dusk comes under a bell jar full of smoke that permeates your drink. If you like your gin, you’re in luck – Gillray’s has over 70 waiting to be sampled.
Bill please:
Starters from £7, mains from £20, desserts from £6, cocktails from £10,wine from £8/glass, fizz from £9/glass.
Verdict:
Terrific food, excellent service and mind-blowing steaks.
To find out more and book your table at Gillray’s, click here.
