St Martins House Covent Garden
Eat Drink Travel paid a visit to one of Covent Garden’ newest openings, the lovely St Martin’s House on Upper St Martins Lane, filled with flowers, unusual cocktails and good food.
The first thing we noticed as we entered St Martin’s House is the venue’s decor which pays a strong nod to the history of Covent Garden, in particular, the flower market. There are walls filled with flowers, along with edible flowers featuring on both the cocktail and food menus.
The restaurant is just minutes away from the shops and bars of Covent Garden, making it a great spot to stop in between shopping or sightseeing.
St Martin’s House spans across three floors, with a bar on the ground floor, and a dining area outside as well as an imposing mezzanine and a basement level. The menu is made entirely from fresh produce and with dishes ranging from venison burgers to sea bass or cauliflower steaks there is something for everyone.
We chose from the The Queen’s Jubilee Specials- a set menu made specially for the Queens Jubilee and available until 16 June, consisting of starters, mains, desserts and a limited edition ‘Jubilee Violet Royal’ cocktail.
We ate Sautéed shrimp toast, spiced butter on seeded sourdough and coronation chicken lettuce wraps, followed by Dover sole, sautéed spinach, mango salsa, and roasted herb potatoes. Dessert was Earl Grey tea cookie vanilla ice cream sandwich or chocolate biscuit cake.
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The manager Marcos Richter told us that the restaurant is committed to changing the menu according to the seasons and as St Martins House is close to many West End theatres the pre theatre menu is popular and the bar is open until the small hours making it the perfect spot for late night drinks and snacks.
Marcos told us that the food is all locally sourced and the Brie for example is from the Cotswolds, although the sourcing and welfare of the meat was less clear.
The menu was created by St Martin’s House head chef, Valerie Armstrong, who continues the tradition of leading female head chefs at the site. Valerie joins St Martin’s House from San Francisco where she grew up and has been heavily influenced by the amazing seafood and incredible produce that is Northern California’s bounty. Guests can see this influence in her menu as she highlights sustainable farms, cheeses, and seafood from the British coastline.
St Martin’s House was launched by hospitality group Aspirational Brands on 23rd March, The restaurant is the first of many new openings planned by the group for 2022.Aspirational Brands have several venues across London, including The Japanese Canteen and Lemongrass. However, St Martin’s House adds a second venue to their House concept, the first, Tatton House, located in Knutsford, Cheshire.
4a Upper St Martin’s Lane,Covent Garden, London, WC2H 9NY
Stmartinshouselondon.co.uk