1 Blossom Street,
Spitalfields,
London,
E1 6BX
0872 148 0507
The ViewLondon Review
1 Blossom Street is not the kind of place you chance upon. Located off a small cobbled street in the City hinterland behind Spitalfields Market, its geographical exclusivity rather suits a mid-market modern Italian restaurant with a niche clientele of predominantly high flying bankers.
Entry is along a short passage leading to a circular secret garden – a pleasant canvas of mango-coloured Veuve Clicquot parasols and old fashioned iron benches. The sort of place to forget the world in…
Through glass doors, past reception and down grand curved stairs to the spacious basement dining room. Pale yellow walls, light wooden floors, blue upholstered chairs, large modern canvasses and soft lighting momentarily suggest ‘hotel restaurant’, but no, it’s a pleasantly smart space. Nothing less would do for the suited, softly-spoken all male diners today. The loudest voices are those of the chefs we occasionally enjoy overhearing talking animatedly to each other in the corner kitchen. There’s no doubting their nationality.
The menu itself is a delight. It’s so very Italian to show such confidence in ingredients; each allowed to do its job, complementing its partners with superb simplicity. A poached egg starter encased in a crispy Parmesan basket breaks to release a sunny yellow rivulet on a circle of lightly-salted pancetta resting on a green salad bed. Around are arranged herby chunks of sauteed potato heaven.
A main of chunky fillet of monkfish stuffed with king prawns wrapped in grilled aubergine arrive arranged attractively around a small, hearty mound of cannellini beans, tomato concasse and oregano.
Best of all is a stout tier of glistening pork medallions layered between caramelised apple and sautéed potato slices and covered in a sweet gravy. A pork dinner of the highest order.
A black hardback wine list means business. Divided into the Italian regions, there are plenty of wines by the glass, wines of the month at very reasonable prices, and several so expensive the price isn’t printed.
With a separate, lighter bar menu, three boldly-painted private rooms and faultless service, 1 Blossom Street comes highly recommended.