River Cafe. — Restaurant in London

Listen, This is how it goes in the River Cafe kitchen when they’re devising the new menu… “Fritto Misto?” “Gotta have it. Italian classic. Simple. Delicious.” “It’s our bag for sure.” “Simple, true. But how much simpler can we make it?” “Um, could we swap a nice mayo for something simpler?” “Like a wedge of lemon?” “Cracked it. And let’s build on that theme. What if we got rid of prawns and replaced with a couple of slices of battered lemon?” “Not sure we’d get away with that. Battered lemon? Are they supposed to eat it?” “Tell ‘em it comes from Amalfi.” “Smart. So that’s two bits of calamari, a couple of courgette flowers and two slices of lemon. OK?” “Hmmm, will they buy that?” “I hear you. Some polenta?” “Is that from the sea?” “No. We could cut it into the shape of a fish” “Darling this is The River Cafe not Findus. Just cut it in triangles.” “OK. How much shall we charge for Fritto Misto?” “£29?” “Fritto Misto sounds expensive. Let’s not disappoint with the price.” “£39” “Done”.

The River Cafe is a truly wonderful restaurant where they really do take simplicity of cooking and quality of ingredients to the next level. The Fritto Misto was good but scant. The veal chop was simply one of the nicest I have ever tasted. Thanks to my generous companion for the afternoon for not hogging it all himself. Crab and avacado wasw bountiful, fresh as a sea daisy. The fennel sausage ground up in the fettuccini was joyfully delicate although the home made pasta was a little chalky. Lemon tart had such a thin base it couldn’t repel the moisture in the curd which was a shame. But it was only £15. Yes the River Cafe remains a true stalwart, for people who want the best and have no fear of cost. Front of house welcome you with an air of knowing you want to be there and therefore barely needing to force a welcome smile but the rest of the service is bright and breezy. I left feeling treated and thanking God I wasn’t paying the bill. I took a walk down the river. It’s beautiful. I passed Sam’s Riverside along the way. It was busy and buzzing and it reminded me that a beautiful meal can be had in cool surroundings not 10 mins from The River Cafe for literally half the price. More power...

After a lovely morning walk along the Thames I decided against my better judgment on visiting the River Cafe and have a cuppa tea and a crusty bread roll with bacon (and a little brown sauce). The tea was average and the roll of the usual standard. I asked for double bacon, which is 4 rashers. And I was hoping to enjoy it but it came out in under 30 seconds and the bacon was deep fried and tough as old boots. Now……for a cafe that survived ww2 and Covid and been open since then and same owners, I expect a certain level of service and quality. Neither was the case. The staff were so busy arguing about some trivia and loudly that the place and the food was in my book a minus. Minus ten possibly more. I left there feeling disappointed and sad that the first thing on such a beautiful morning was that to digest. My body is a temple and you are what you eat!!!! And £6.50 wasted and no apology as they were too busy arguing between themselves. Of course I didn’t eat it all and walked out. How difficult can it be to make a...

I’m reviewing this place because it’s hard now to find a cafe that isn’t trying to be fancy or trendy with other establishments that try to appeal to middle class London, instead it serves excellent food, no fuss, friendly family run service. From English breakfast to pastas everything is excellent, good portions and value for money. They serve a selection of old school English cakes, try the homemade rock cake it’s fantastic. It’s refreshing to see a cafe keep to traditions and not turn its nose up at traditions. Cute atmosphere and very clean. They do a solid filter coffee too for those that don’t want fancy flat whites. I hope this cafe never changes and carries on doing what it...