A stone’s throw from Buckingham Palace, the surroundings of Bank are quite a regal affair, tucked away on a quiet, but rather posh, street.

The Venue
Enter Bank to find a large glass wall that makes up one side of the room, overlooking a romantic courtyard filled with lit-up greenery and a gorgeous fountain. Inside a sea of big, round white lights, reminiscent of balloons, drop from the ceiling making it a stylish and modern affair.

The Atmosphere
With Bank’s sister bar in earshot of the restaurant, the sound of the nightspot drifts in, so a distant but loud enough hum of music is apparent in the background. That said, it was this noise that gives Bank a lively vibe, as on a recent occasion the restaurant itself wasn’t all that busy with guests scattered around only a few tables.

The Food
A contemporary mix of modern European and Oriental fare. The Asian sharing platter is a good place to start your meal, offering up delicious Thai prawn cakes, duck spring rolls that are cooked to a faultless crispiness, tempura king prawns and salt and pepper squid which is slightly bland but nothing that can’t be fixed with a dip in one of the accompanying sauces. The crispy duck with Chinese leaves as a main is very tasty and the fat little bird is cooked to a tenderness that just falls apart like butter. However the greens are a bit droopy looking and are drenched in something that leaves a bitter taste in the mouth. Other dishes include a decent selection of risottos, pastas, sandwiches (lunchtime only), meat and fish dishes. Mains range from around £11 to £23.

The Drink
An impressive wine list with grapes from Italy, France and Spain primarily taking over. If you’re after a decent red, the Rioja is a lovely, slightly heavy offering with spicy notes that tingle on the palate. Banks also offers up a decent selection of champers starting at around £40 a pop.

The Last Word
Very modern and now, Bank’s stylish decor and fashionable and appetizing menu make for must-do dining.

venue information venue map view london review user reviews (1) image gallery (2)