In the heart of London lies one of the city’s most well-appointed and contemporary landmarks of modern gastronomy, Searcys at The Gherkin. Across the United Kingdom, Searcys’ various restaurants and bars are known for their carefully curated menus and lavish collection of hand-picked champagne vintages from various notable houses, as well as small, independent growers, to give guests a taste of the perfect food and beverage melange, with every fine dining experience.
The Helix restaurant and Iris Bar at The Gherkin, London, offer most scrumptious dishes and the finest concoctions with a vista of London’s expansive cityscape. It makes for a romantic spot for dates and my husband and I recently celebrated our anniversary at the Helix restaurant. The name of the restaurant is in fact, inspired by the helix-like structure of the skyscraper and offers a sleek ambiance with artistic and floral nuances. The Iris Bar is situated on the highest level of the Gherkin edifice and is a nod to the iris-like shape of the peak of the iconic London building.
While the ambiance is an epitome of chic and the vista simply breath-taking, the food and cocktails are outstanding, and the service is impeccable. I am a vegetarian, and the restaurant’s offerings more than exceeded my expectations. Picking bits and pieces from an elaborate menu, our first course of starters were servings of Whipped goat’s cheese, pickled heritage carrots with summer leaves and Portland Crab, celery, grapes, topped with candied walnuts. The goat’s cheese was silky and the crunch from the carrots and freshness of the leaves offered the perfect balance to the tang from the whipped cheese. My husband thoroughly seemed to enjoy the flaky crab meat and its mixture with the caramelized nuts and grassy celery.
The vegetarian main was unique – a serving of Confit leeks, Evesham broad beans, and herb dumplings, a taste of Britain’s freshest seasonal produce with flavours that meld together perfectly. The succulent and juicy meat from my husband’s choice of the Braised shoulder of Herdwick lamb, heritage carrots, spring greens, and buckwheat seemed completely irresistible, and I barely managed to escape the temptation.
The desserts, though, topped this gastronomic escapade. The Chocolate ale cake with cherry compote and vanilla ice-cream are a match made in culinary heaven, and the combination of Tart with strawberry ice-cream is divine and sweet ending to any meal.
Although, going here at any time of the year feels like a luxurious treat, this summer is an especially great time, thanks to a unique pop-up called “The Glasshouse at the Gherkin”, in partnership with Perrier-Jouët Champagne, until 1st September 2019. The pop-up is a homage to fresh and natural products and ingredients and welcomes guests for indulgent dining experiences featuring delicacies made with seasonal produce paired with exquisite Champagne vintages and gin concoctions, and masterclasses held by expert mixologists. Searcys at Gherkin is also a great venue to host team lunches and makes for a stunning location for special occasions such as weddings and celebrations or corporate events, a space that is bound to impress guests with its delectable cuisine, fine cocktails and beverages, sophisticated ambiance and panoramic view of the city of London.
