Swithins, London EC4N

Having recently re-located, I spend my working hours in the City. For those of you not so familiar with London the is the financial district, where everyone is suited and booted and walks around looking utterly professional. Friends and business contacts have been kind enough to welcome me to the City by offering drinks, lunches and dinner. One such was an invitation to lunch at Swithins. 

There is a Champagne bar upstairs and an Italian restaurant downstairs. I arrived and was led to the basement. There is a feeling of an old, worn institution. The site describes vaulted cellars. The diners of course were on business lunches. I was there on the excuse of a formal lunch but in truth, and again I hope my boss isn't reading, it was more relaxing as I was amongst friends. Although, now that I think about it, I was also in a suit. I'm not sure if this is a good thing but the City vibe is already affecting my dress sense!

The food. There is a 3-course set menu for £17.50. We opted for the a la carte. Starters range from £7.50 to £9.50 and mains from around £11 to £22. I chose the beef carpaccio to start. It was served with rocket and parmesan shavings with olive oil. Very good. Another starter on our table was the squid with chorizo. I think that these flavours work well (as do oysters with chorizo!) and I was told that it was indeed good. For my main course I went for the pan-fried sea bass which was served with mash potato. The sea bass was well-cooked and flavoursome and the mash was fantastic. It was creamy with spinach stirred in. It beautifully adorned my fork and it's gentle texture and flavour did not overpower the fish, allowing for full appreciation of the taste.

This made for a lovely 'business' lunch, the service being excellent, although overall not as fashionable as most of the places I have reviewed so far.

Swithins, 21-23 St Swithins Lane, London EC4N 8AD, Tel:020 7623 6850  
Closest stations: Cannon Street and Bank Click to view website