Andrew Edmunds

Andrew Edmunds is a small restaurant in Soho that you would probably walk past without noticing… but you will be happy if you do notice it - it is one of those hidden gems you wish you had know about for years. Not the best food you will ever eat, not the cheapest (though pretty good value), no fancy décor, but honest cooking in a welcoming environment.

I had read that Andrew Edmunds was one of the "most romantic" restaurants in London. Well not sure I totally agree - although the basement dining area is cosy and candle lit, tables are a bit too close together for a romantic tête-à-tête. And we dined with friends anyway, so no chance for romance.

To start, we had the Roast Woodcock on Toast, the Dressed Crab, and the Smoked Haddock Mousse with red onion, hazelnuts and watercress. The Woodcock was nice and gamey and well cooked.

Main courses were the Braised Herdwick Lamb shank with winter vegetables, olive oil mash and greens, the Roast Duck Breast, sweet potato and coconut dauphinois & bok choi, and the Wild Sea Bass fillet with potato cake & fennel, crab & cherry tomato salad. The duck was very good and perfectly cooked, and the sweet potato and coconut dauphinois was intriguing. The lamb was less popular, a bit bland with no braising apparent.

Desserts we tried were the Sticky Toffee Pudding, the Chocolate Mousse Cake and the Lemon Sorbet. All plates were cleaned except for the Chocolate Mousse Cake, which was a bit too rich.

Sherry seems to be a bit of a speciality here, and the boys enjoyed a very civilised glass. I was impressed with the wine list, lots of interesting options and a few bargains to be had. Romantic or not, I really enjoyed our meal at Andrew Edmunds and look forward to returning again soon, though I wouldn't want to be sitting in that cosy basement area in summer.