89-90 Turnmill Street,
Clerkenwell,
London,
EC1M 5QU
(020) 7065 6800
The ViewLondon Review
This former drill hall is a new hot venue in the increasingly gentrified Farringdon. Stop by to enjoy delicate seafood and decadent steaks.
The Venue
Bricks, patterned tiles and wooden cabinets give Redhook a vintage allure, balanced by the modernity of ‘70s chandeliers, contemporary Chesterfield seats and glossy tables. At the wooden top bar, classy and chic thanks to the display of oyster and shellfish on ice, you sit in American-style booths.
The restaurant at the back has a raised platform with a chill-out area furnished with vintage armchairs, while the main section is occupied by classic chairs and Chesterfield benches. Large groups can book the cool private room where a long table, matched with a collection of vintage mirrors, is made private thanks to sliding glass doors, which still allow you to soak up the outside atmosphere.
The Atmosphere
Tucked away in Turnmill Street, Redhook appears to be the secret chill-out spot for an upmarket, in-the-know clientele. The venue is classy and respectful of all traditional aesthetic canons but the atmosphere which ensues is far from stuffy. On the contrary, there is a pleasant subdued buzz. You get the impression that the well-off professionals –groomed men and women in their thirties – are here to have an informal night out as an alternative to Mayfair, where looking your best is required.
The Food
Canadian lobster (£20 - £40), diver scallops (£9 - £16), king crab legs, clams and oysters (£1.50 each) are on offer together with Scottish skirt steak (£9 - £13), American grain-fed T-bone (£22 - £40) and the supreme Japanese-Australian Waygu fillet – the £60 for 200g (£90 for 300g) reflects the fact that this beef has been fed Asahi beer for two weeks to acquire a unique flavour and consistency.
In the over-abundance of offers, surf and turf (£18 - £65) comes to your rescue combining the best of both worlds, excellent quality Scottish skirt steak and freshwater Somerset crayfish is one of three options. The trimmings are for you to pick, such as asparagus with coated duck egg and Parmesan (£9) and Redhook salad (sugar snap peas and toasted garlic, £5 - £7) are good quality green complements to the meats while samphire is unusual, quite salty, slightly bitter and intense. The chips (£3) are very good. Although there’s not many, they are beautifully crispy and the olive oil mash is intense and thick. The desserts are as elaborate as a Knickerboker Glory (£5), indulgent thanks to its mix of fruit, meringue, Devonshire cream and more, or as deliciously simple as a bowl of the best cherries (£6) the market has to offer.
The Drink
Redhook is very strong in both the cocktail and wine departments. The highly-trained barmen can shake over seventy cocktails (£7.50 - £10) but the reduced daily list presents a variety based on fresh produce. Even simple lemonade is a complicated and delicious work or art. Alternatively, you can choose from Redhook Lager (£3.50), Moosehead, Brooklyn Lager, Honker Ale and other small beer batches. Most wines are sold by the bottle (£17 - £275) but there are several carafes (£13 - £25) and glasses (£4.50 - £10) available. The long selection is very comprehensive, especially with Californian bottles.
The Last Word
Surf or turf? Try it served at the same time – experimenting is very rewarding at Redhook.
Redhook has been reviewed by 7 users