Porter’s English Restaurant
I popped into Porter’s English Restaurant in Covent Garden on Saturday night and was very impressed with the food and service that I found there: wholesome, tasty and traditional fare that provides the perfect accompaniment to a night at the theatre.
Porter’s has recently celebrated 25 years of serving hordes of hungry theatre goers but it is not resting on its laurels. Specialising in good old fashioned British food, often with a distinct Porter’s twist, it has proved popular with both tourists and Londoners alike.
Porter’s English Restaurant is situated on Henrietta Street which runs off of the Covent Garden Piazza itself and is therefore within easy walking distance the theatreland hotspots of Leicester Square and The Strand as well as The Royal Opera House on Bow Street.
The extensive menu includes staples such as Fish and Chips and Steak and Kidney pudding but they specialise in taking pies to a new level. Steak, Guinness and Mushroom pie seemed popular but there is a large variety to choose from. The pies are huge towering affairs with a substantial filling hidden beneath a delightfully crispy crust. A selection of puddings are also high on the feel good factor, with comfort food favourites like rice pudding and sticky toffee pudding on offer. For a starter I would recommend the ’London Peculiar’, a pea and bacon soup that is delicious and warming.
For a main course I ordered beer battered cod and chips with a side order of mushy peas and I was served with a huge fish, perfectly cooked in a crunchy but light batter. The white flakes melted in my mouth and it was piscine delight.
My dessert was even better. I opted for the syrup sponge pudding with custard and the beautifully presented sponge had been steamed to perfection. I have dined at many top class restaurants in the capital but I must say that this beautifully simple, melt in the mouth delight was the best dessert that I have ever tasted.
All in all, I cannot recommend Porter’s English Restaurant enough - it takes traditional English food to a new gourmet level. Although it was very busy when I went the staff were friendly and the service was very quick. The prices are most reasonable and the restaurant even adds on a small (optional) donation that goes to the Help Our Heroes charity. So there we have it: great food, unbeatable location, friendly service, good prices and a kind heart as well! I will be booking a table at Porter’s again and I strongly advise you to do the same!