Our visit to Fenchurch will definitely go down as one of the highlights of the year. The Caribbean Tasting Menu inspired by chef Kerth Gumbs is fantastic. The service especially from our waitress Greta was excellent and the views over london from this stunning location are amazing. So yes I would highly recommend a visit.
The restaurant itself is in the Fenchurch building which is in a great location and only a short walk from a variety of stations. You arrive at the reception where you pass through a quick security check before making your way round to the lift. From here you make your way up to the thirty fifth floor. This is where the Sky Garden is located. You then make your way round to another lift for the final two floors. As we exited the lift on the thirty seventh floor your at the reception to the restaurant.
Here we were given the most delightful welcome before being escorted to our table. The first thing that hits you are the amazing views where you can see Wembley stadium and beyond as well as great views of the river thames and many of london’s famous landmarks.
Once settled we then met our waitress Greta who I have to say is a credit to the industry. She presented us with the A La Carte and Tasting Menu’s that also included a wine pairing and a cocktail pairing. We both decided on the tasting menu as this is more Caribbean influenced and for myself I was very interested to try the cocktail pairing.
We started with a drink while we enjoyed an amazing selection of snacks. These were Jerk Beef Tartare in a Prawn Cracker , Sweet Potato and Oregano , Mac n Cheese as well as Sourdough Bread with seeded lavroche , curried haddock and tomato butter. I can tell you now they were all delicious and you would have left happy if this is all you had.
Now it was time for the first course. This was the famous Johnny Cake with pickled crab , scotch bonnet mayo , roe. The cocktail pairing was a Rhu-Tai (rhubarb , almond syrup , lime) all I can say is wow what a way to begin.
The second course included a bit of theatre at the table. The Fungi and Salt Fish of octopus , gungo peas , okra , avocado and cornmeal arrives at the table as one. They then pour water over the dry ice. Once settled the dish is separated into two separate parts. The pairing was a Bush Tea (gin , lemongrass , green chartreuse).
Next to arrive was the Roast Scallop with textures of cauliflower and roast chicken butter sauce where once again the flavour combinations were absolute heaven with the perfect amount of spice in each dish. This was paired with a Rum Soul (chamomile , rosemary , lemon)
Now it was time for the main course of Aged Duck with tamarind , turnip , sorrel and accompanied with a duck patty. The cocktail was a punchy Brixton Rum Punch (tropical juices , spice rum , nutmeg) another amazing pairing.
Our waitress Greta then asked if we would like a little break before desserts. It was during this time we received a nice surprise as out from the kitchen came Kerth to say hello and have a nice chat. He then said as a complimentary extra we could choose a dessert to share from a la carte menu. We decided to opt for the Seasonal Soufflé of Orange Marmalade with candied almonds and pistachio cake. Firstly though came the pre dessert of Soursop and pink peppercorn lollies with whiskey gummy bears. This was followed by the dessert of Chef Kerth Gumbs Conkie Dumpling Cake - sweet potato , caramelised white chocolate coconut and salted milk ice cream. The final pairing was a Fenchurch Cafe (coffee , tonka , white chocolate) just heaven.
We finished with coffee and petit fours to bring to an end a fabulous dining experience. The Caribbean flavours and spicing were absolutely amazing , the cocktail pairings matched each course perfectly and the service from our waitress Greta was excellent. This is definitely a place I would recommend and now cannot wait to return to try the a la carte which is filled with a twist of classic british dishes. As we left we personally had the chance to thank Kerth for our...
Read moreI picked this restaurant to celebrate a special person's birthday because I wanted everything, starting with the location, to be perfect. I can confidently say that it was a great choice in that regard.
Sadly, I cannot extend my positive feedback to the staff and other aspects of the restaurant. We visited on a Friday night and had to wait in a long line. Airport-style security checks delayed us by 15 minutes, so we arrived at 9:15 instead of 9:00.
We were led to our table by a blonde waitress who said she would be serving us that evening. It was here that I encountered the first issue: she did not offer to take our coats, a service typically provided in restaurants of this calibre and even in lesser establishments. Consequently, I was forced to drape my coat over the back of my chair, while the girls used the sofa. Moreover, our table was incredibly small and offered very limited space for the three of us. The waitress introduced us to the sommelier, Peter (if I'm not mistaken), who was both kind and professional. We spent the first few minutes admiring the venue before the waitress returned to inquire if we were ready to order. We requested a few more minutes. Literally two minutes later, she returned with the same question, and our response remained unchanged. Although the menu was quite limited, we hadn't made our decision yet because we were occupied with selecting a wine to start. At this point, the waitress, with a tone of disappointment, informed us that we needed to make our choices soon as the kitchen would be closing at 9:30 PM. This was quite surprising, especially since we were in the heart of London on a weekend—coming from Brighton, such early closing hours seemed almost unbelievable.
Eventually, we ordered food and wine, but encountered another issue when the £90 bottle of white wine was placed in the middle of our already cramped round table, instead of on a side table or in a freestanding bucket. This made our small dining space even more confined.
Our situation improved slightly when the table next to us vacated, and the sommelier kindly placed the wine there, granting us a bit more room. The food was satisfactory—quite tasty, in my opinion—but somewhat minimalistic in portion. The venison steak was roughly 100 grams, and the ravioli amounted to merely three pieces. While the wine was good, it was overpriced. When it came time for dessert, the birthday girl opted for a mix of fruit jelly—a choice we found quite unappealing. At this juncture, the sommelier approached our table, singing "Happy Birthday" while holding in his hands a candle for her to blow out. This moment struck us as rather bizarre, especially considering that even the simplest pizzerias and kebab shops offer more sophisticated birthday surprises. Nonetheless, we acknowledged and appreciated the effort made by the sole staff member who attended to us. In conclusion, as we were presented with our bill, we noticed that our initial waitress had vanished, leaving a new one to close our evening. I will not delve into the pricing, as it was within our expectations, especially considering the inclusion of two bottles of wine.
However, I feel compelled to mention that I refused to pay the service charge due to the significantly below-par service we experienced. When I requested to speak with a manager about this issue, the waitress consulted with him and then returned with a revised bill excluding the service charge. Although I had no intention of being difficult, I insisted on speaking with the manager myself to explain my dissatisfaction with the service. When he approached me, he issued an apology for the service not meeting expectations, though he seemed somewhat disinterested in my feedback. Nonetheless, I handed him the amount equivalent to the service charge in cash, requesting that this sum be given to Peter, who was the only person who took care of us. He confirmed that this would indeed be the case. Upon leaving, we spent some time at the bar, which boasted a...
Read moreWe visited Fenchurch Restaurant in Sky Garden for an early dinner and food tasting experience. Initially, I was disappointed to learn that it was the only option available on a Saturday, but I decided to give it a try and see how their food tasting menu would turn out. The restaurant was established in late 2016, and the chef for the day was Kerth . I had the opportunity to walk through the kitchen and meet Kerth Gumbs , the head chef. I was extremely impressed by the impeccable cleanliness of the kitchen and the disciplined staff, who worked together in harmony, resembling a beehive. Well done, Kerth ! With this impressive start, we were escorted to our table in a beautifully decorated room. The ambiance was perfect, with the room temperature just right, and stunning flowers, particularly orchids, creating a floating sensation from the downstairs Sky Garden. The panoramic view of London was spectacular, offering sights of St. Paul's Cathedral, Tower Bridge, the Gherkin, and even the Shard on the horizon. The staff were exceptionally attentive, and Greta, with her welcoming smile, made us feel truly welcomed. She took the time to explain the entire tasting menu, which was impressive and left me wondering how Kerth and his team would execute all these dishes. We also had Petro, the sommelier, who provided detailed explanations of their wine selection from different regions. Following Petro's recommendations, we decided to opt for wine pairings with each course. To start, we were served a Margarita and passion fruit martini, both perfectly balanced and expertly prepared. The presentation of each dish that followed was simply amazing (see photos). While I won't dive into the details of each dish, I must say that every creation by Kerth and his kitchen team was a masterpiece. The food exhibited extraordinary quality, taste, and culinary creativity. In fact, it reminded me of a dining experience I had over 12 years ago at Galwin At Windows Park lane london , overlooking London, but even Gordon Ramsay's kitchens, except for the Notting Hill Brasserie, couldn't compare to the deliciousness of the food at Fenchurch. It was like listening to Mozart's "Eine Kleine Nachtmusik" performed by the Samohin Orchestra in Vienna—an exquisitely composed symphony of flavors. The wines recommended by Petro, sourced from various European vineyards including Kent in the UK, Sangiovese from Italy, and selections from France, complemented the dishes perfectly, creating a harmonious concert on my palate. At the end of the meal, Kerth, the head chef, personally came to our table to inquire about our experience. I was left speechless and overwhelmed by the astounding food and presentation. Thank you, Kerth Gumbs , Petro, Greta, and the entire team, for providing an extraordinary dining experience that seamlessly combines delicious cuisine with breathtaking views of London. A visit to Fenchurch Restaurant is a delight for every food lover. Please follow me on Instagram! You can find me at...
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