69-71 Westow Hill,
Crystal Palace,
London,
SE19 1TX
(020) 8761 1175
The ViewLondon Review
A beautiful restaurant with a stylish bar downstairs, The Exhibition Rooms offers a delicious menu alongside a mouthwatering range of drinks.
The Venue
On a corner of Westow Hill, The Exhibition Rooms has windows that wrap around the restaurant, and the cosy glow coming through the windows is sure to lure you in. As you walk in, you’ll find yourself in the restaurant area, with wooden floors, tables and chairs, with stylish lighting, foliage and a large wine rack to one side. Downstairs is a laid-back bar area with brightly coloured seating, exposed brickwork and its own bar. There’s also access to a garden area, which is great for summertime.
The Atmosphere
The restaurant has a formal air, with smartly dressed staff and elegant décor, but it’s certainly not uptight, and you will easily settle down at your table for a couple of hours or more. The downstairs bar is even more relaxing, but still a stylish place to meet with friends for a drink. Weekends are sure to pull in those celebrating a special occasion and, on Sundays, looking for a well-earned roast, with the bar enticing people in every day of the week. Staff are professional and attentive, with a good knowledge of the menu.
The Food
There’s an impressive menu that starts the mouth watering at first glance. Starters include roasted pumpkin, creamed spinach and Colston Bassett tartlet (£6), served with pear and green chilli chutney, and steak tartare (£8.50), served with a raw hen’s egg and toast. Mains are just as exciting: try the slow roasted belly of pork (£15.50), with fondant potato, spinach, prune and honey puree, or for those who love a fish dish, there’s grilled herring fillets (£14.50), with roasted cherry tomatoes, pearl onions, oregano, creamed leeks and matchstick potatoes. All perfectly cooked, incredibly well presented and really well priced for the standard. If you have a sweet tooth, the Dime bar cheesecake on a Hob Nob base, with a sugar cane and rum reduction, is a grown-up take on childhood treats.
The Drink
Up in the restaurant there’s an impressive list of wines, with the house (Castillo del Moro 2009, Spain) priced at £5.50 a glass and £16 a bottle. There’s also dessert wine and sherry, from £5.50 a glass. Downstairs in the bar you’re sure to lean towards the cocktails: all the classics are there, including the Singapore sling (£7), with gin, cherry brandy, Benedictine, triple sec, lime, bitters, grenadine and soda. If you’re up for something different, choose something from the ‘wacky and wonderful’ section: the Black Forest Martini (£7) blends cherry brandy, butterscotch schnapps, blackberries, raspberries and double cream for a truly indulgent drink.
The Last Word
The Exhibition Rooms is a really special place with a lovely atmosphere and seriously good food and drink to boot.
The Exhibition Rooms has been reviewed by 16 users