All reader reviews by Jo

The Admiralty

I wanted somewhere special but not too expensive for lunch with a friend. We went using the summer offer of three courses plus a glass of Pimms or rose for £19.50. When I arrived, my name was instantly recognised and I was greeted with a beaming smile and told my friend had just arrived.

The dining room is gorgeous, with a high ceiling, plenty of open windows (we were there on a boiling July day, so the breeze was wonderful) and fanstastic little chandeliers in the shape of old-fashioned sailing ships. Decor is charming.

We chose the same things - a smoked salmon and yogurt starter on a bed of thinly sliced cucumber, swordfish on pureed potato with roasted dwarf tomatoes, green beans and a deliciously light sauce and then a marvellous pud: chocolate and mascarpone sponge topped with chocolate ganache, a little chocolate filigree basket containing milk sorbet (divine!) and a good swirl of chocolate sauce to accomany it all.

Service was friendly, unobtrusive and unhurried. Our bill, including service charge and a large bottle of water, was £45.80 and worth every penny.

We wandered out into the hot sunshine and thought about joining the numerous small children who had turned the courtyard at Somerset House into a giant paddling pool. Darting in and out of dozen of little fountains looked very attractive with temperatures hitting record highs!

Friday, July 21, 2006
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10