Radisson Edwardian Leicester Square Restaurant

 22 July, 2008

Radisson Edwardian Leicester Square Hotel
St. Martins Street , Leicester Square 

 London WC2H 7HL , United Kingdom

Tel: + 44 (0)20 7930 8641 Fax:

www.radissonedwardian.com/leicestersquare
 

Hotel restaurants are, by merit, either incredibly good, or incredibly poor. Some are destination restaurants in themselves, and others should be avoided like a Leicester Square All-You-Can-Eat.

However, if you do find yourself in Leicester Square and catch yourself eyeing up Mr Woo Woo’s quasi-bird like wares, lynched pitifully along the entrance, shake those tail feathers and fly…far away. (Actually, not that far because there’s a wonderful roosting spot just across the square) Tucked away between the National Gallery and Leicester Square, the four star deluxe Radisson Edwardian Leicester Square Hotel, although not best, or yet, known for the quality of its restaurant, is a pleasantly enjoyable experience.

Seafood should, in no instance, be ingested within a two mile radius of Leicester Square, anyone from London knows that. So what did we do? We opted for seafood-based dishes purely out of a lick of journalistic bravado and report that, thankfully, The Radisson’s selection of modern and classic seafood dishes are exempt from health and safety regulations. We are very much alive and kicking to tell a joyous tale of a surprisingly good central London diner.

Firstly, the service was impeccable- Polish, of course.  My dining partner and I were seated immediately and treated to a Chablis from the bar which complemented the fresh, delicate prawns and tuna bites whipped up seemingly from thin air by our Eastern European comrades ( I can say that, the person I was dining with is Eastern European)

For starters, we both opted for the same dish of seared scallops and mashed potatoes –a marriage of subtle, delicate, melt-in-your-mouth flavours nestled together in a marital bed in the shape of a scallop shell. My choice of fish-halibut on a bed of spinach, was very fresh, simple and unadorned with unnecessary extras (always a winner) whilst my partner’s cod in crispy beer batter served alongside perennial chunky chips was a fine example of a British staple- Harry Ramsden would be proud.

We weren’t too sure how the brown bread ice-cream would fare after a so-far-so very good meal, but the yeasty, bitter undertones of the bread managed to blend well with the sweetness of its vanilla outfit.

The portions were generous and are just enough for hungry people off to the theatre, which we were. And it was, by this merit of convenience that we decided on the Radisson Leicester Square’s restaurant.

Having little expectation, makes no room for disappointment of which there was none with this surprise contender. A tremendously enjoyable, affordable and smooth dining experience pre, or post- theatre. Applauds all round.  If only the play deserved such warm reception.

A. Thomas