Tom's Kitchen Somerset House
Price guide: Expensive
Somerset House, Strand, London, WC2R 1LA
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#63 of 115
expert-rated restaurants in London- Recommended for:
- Culture vultures, Families with teenagers, Families with younger children, Foodies, Mature travellers, Chilling out, Great views / scenery, History, People watching, Sightseeing
Expert review of Tom's Kitchen Somerset House
A relaxed brasserie within a spectacular 18th century Neo-Classical building by the Thames.
I love Tom Aikens’ food – whether it’s lunch at his Chelsea fine dining restaurant or breakfast at his British-style brasseries, of which this is the latest. Prices can seem jaw-droppingly steep (one reason why I tend to come for brunch) but the standard of cooking usually justifies it. Some colleagues found this place disappointing when it first opened, but I only encountered a couple of errors, so I’ll be interested to hear of others’ experiences.
Food and drink:
The core menu offers some bravely familiar dishes – steak sandwiches, shepherds pie, caesar salad, spaghetti with tomato sauce – that are several cuts above the norm and chicly presented. Ingredients come from first-rate suppliers and the sausages (from the organic Rhug estate in Wales) are particularly good. I reckon Tom’s blueberry pancakes are London’s best and was wowed by the lemon steamed pudding (steamed puds are best cooked and eaten at home, rather than in a restaurant). The bar turns out a heady, spice-packed bloody mary too, but the hot chocolate needs improvement.
Ambience:
Relaxed, with a genteel vibe from the arched windows, cornices and high-backed Chesterfield-inspired booths. Arty tourists and gallery visitors make up most of the custom but expect upmarket skaters when the ice rink is open in winter.
Service:
Friendly but unhurried and occasionally missing important details.
Location:
On the river side of imposing Somerset House, just south of Covent Garden.
Price advice:
Main courses are £13-£26.50, and desserts £7.50 on the lunch and dinner menu. The macaroni cheese is £14, yes, but I’ve never had better. Small breakfast items start at an approachable £3, and the full English is £12.50.
Other useful branches:
Within Somerset House you’ll also find Tom’s Deli, which serves snacky food such as sandwiches, quiches, salads and smoothies. A temporary bar also runs on the terrace in summer, and a café by the skating rink in winter. The original Tom’s Kitchen is beloved of the well-heeled Chelsea Green locals, and Tom Aikens’ haute cuisine restaurant is just around the corner from it – see website for details.
More information on Tom's Kitchen Somerset House:
- Price guide:
- Type:
- Café, Restaurant, Takeaway
- Food:
- British, International, Modern, Traditional
- Address:
- Somerset House, Strand, London, WC2R 1LA
- Telephone:
- 020 7845 4646
- Website:
- http://www.tomskitchen.co.uk/somersethouse/
- Serves:
- Breakfast, Brunch, Lunch, Dinner
- Opening times:
- Mon-Fri noon-3pm, 6pm-10pm; Sat 10am-4pm, 6pm-10pm; Sun 10am-4pm.
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Reservations:
- Suggested
