The Folly
The scene: Large City bar and restaurant which has already become really popular despite just opening this month. The venue, spread over two floors, has a creative botanical theme, there’s a garden lounge and a flower shop. It’s funky without being pretentious. And it’s classy whilst being filled with suits – well, it is in the City.
Despite being mega-busy, the staff are really friendly. Ours (helpfully) suggest we start as we mean to go on, by ordering a cocktail.
The menu: Overloaded with lots of delicious choices, from gourmet sandwiches and burgers to sharing dishes and platters. I opt for the courgette fritters with garlic dip, Jo orders the prawn and lemongrass lollipops and Claire tries the chicken satay with peanut sauce.
You can tell the food is good, as the table falls silent. For mains we have the open chargrilled vegetable sandwich served on fresh focaccia, a fishfinger sandwich and a Folly seafood board (usually for two), which boasts fresh shellfish and oysters. All are wonderfully presented on wooden blocks for plates.
We can’t leave without trying the desserts. The homemade brownie is divine, there’s a unique cheesecake – frangelico, creme de fraise in a bottle to pour over berries.
However, the clear winner is the good old-fashioned knickerbocker glory.
Bill please: Starters from £5.25, mains from £6.95 and desserts from £4.95.
Verdict: The Folly is billed as ‘London’s secret garden’ however, when food is this good, the venue won’t stay secret for long.
3/5
41 Gracechurch St, EC3V 0BT
Tube: Monument
0845 468 0102
– Carol Driver
