Nestled away in the heart of Theatreland close to some of London’s most famous and top attractions, St Martin’s House is serving up a British menu, alongside cocktails and good vibes. And what about the restaurant’s name you ask? Martin, himself plays an integral role in the story of this restaurant.
So who is Martin? Martin was a 17th Century actor who spent his time between London theatres and throwing the very best parties in Covent Garden. Martin sounds like my kind of friend and it’s no wonder this place has such a terrific vibe and is not just a great place for eating, but drinking too.
Whilst we soaked up the atmosphere and perused the menu, I sipped on a well-crafted margarita cocktail. This was their violet yuzu margarita which was a blend of Tequila, yuzu liqueur, yuzu puree, and lime juice. A delicious concoction to perk up anyone’s lunch.
To kick off our meal we tucked into the St Martins scotch egg. A fantastic golden bread crumb coating, quality Dorset venison chorizo meat and St Ewes farm 64-degree egg which was lovely and runny. A rather good start and the perfect few bites to pair with the last of my cocktail.
Better still was the Cornish scallops crudo. Size wise I think they could have been a touch more generous, but flavor-wise it quickly made up for any shortfall in mouthfuls. Citrus, avocado vinaigrette, pistachios, and a passion fruit gelee meant a very enjoyable dish that left us both salivating for more after.
If there is one dish you must not miss out on – it’s the steak tartare. Chunky chopped slices of excellent beef tenderloin, alongside black truffle, quails egg, smoked mustard, sourdough & extra virgin olive oil. Plus a side order of parmesan-coated fries. I have to say the beef was of excellent quality and whilst I usually prefer my tartare with all the spices and tabasco, the meat didn’t really need it as its flavor shone through. If it’s on the menu, make sure you order it.
I’m not entirely sure why, but when my steak arrived, it wasn’t getting me excited – but actually, I judged it a little too quickly as each bite was a joy. Aged for 28 days, this 8oz rib-eye is a mammoth slab of meat and so you best come hungry. Cooked perfectly to my medium-rare specification, the only downside to it was the sauce of peppered bone marrow which for me just didn’t quite have the depth I was hoping for. The steak is well worth ordering if you’re making a visit but perhaps order the chimichurri sauce instead.
To finish, a rich and decadent chocolate cheesecake. Here it was deconstructed, with the biscuit base more a crumb around the plate, but I loved that even more. The chocolate had a smooth, mousse-like texture, and whilst this dish will likely spend a lifetime on the hips – it’s worth the sacrifice.
To finish, a gargantuan Eton mess with layers of strawberry goodness. The perfect sweet treat to send us off to the streets of Soho for a few too many drinks or a planned theatre show. We had a great time at St Martin’s House and it really is a great little pre/post-theatre spot, with a fantastic vibe, lovely staff, and quality British food. Would we return if in the area? Absolutely!
