Brat X Climpsons Arch - A night to remember
Our Rating: ★★★ | ££££ - Fine dining food with 0 pretentiousness
One of the joys of curating a food and travel guide is discovering places that transcend mere dining into a realm of experiences. Recently, the hungry soles (11 of us) found refuge at Brat X Climpson's Arch, a restaurant we’ve all been dying to visit after many recommendations.
Setting the Scene
Nestled in an old railway arch, the restaurant had an almost transformative vibe. From the raw wooden architecture to the carefully chosen colourful posters adorning its walls, it felt like a step into a hipster's dream - if that hipster also had a deep appreciation for high-quality food.
We quickly got into some frozen mezcal cocktails to cool us down (there is no air conditioning in this old arch so be warned on the hotter days!)
The Appetizing Prelude
As the starters began to roll in, murmurs of appreciation swept our table of eleven. The anchovy bread was a salty, savoury delight, transporting one’s palate straight to a Mediterranean seaside village. As for the leeks, who would've thought this humble vegetable could hold its own in a symphony of flavours paired perfectly with some oozy stracciatella? The grilled peppers and the bread and butter rounded off our starter experience, offering both familiar and novel sensations in each bite.
The Main Event
The beef rib steak was nothing to write home about. It lacked that standout factor and we’ve all had better steaks elsewhere however it did come with a decadent sauce.
The undisputed star of the meal was the grilled turbot. Presented in all its whole glory, the fish was a lesson in perfection. Each bite was a delightful mix of meatiness, tenderness, and a buttery richness that lingered on the palate. It's the kind of dish that silently commands respect, making you savour every bite.
On the Side
Complementing our mains were the haye smoked potatoes—bringing in an earthy depth—and a plate of Cavolo Nero, offering a refreshing crunch and balance. It’s easy to overlook sides, often viewing them as mere accompaniments, but these dishes held their own, enhancing our main course experience.
Desserts
As plates were cleared and room was made for dessert, we were introduced to the burnt Basque cheesecake, which walked the delicate line between creamy and charred. Alongside that, we had what could only be described as a refined Eton Mess, meringue, strawberries and whipped cream.
Wining and Dining
Our wine journey was unexpectedly delightful. We settled for some budget-friendly options (we asked for the cheapest white and red they had), but oh boy, did they deliver! The Chin Chin (white) and Gran Cerdo (red) were full of character and perfectly complemented our dishes. Though a heads up for those adventurous with cocktails—while most are a dream, the liquorice-tinged digestif that our waiter suggested might not be everyone's cup of tea.
Service with a Smile
A shout-out is in order for the stellar staff, particularly Callum. Attentive without being intrusive and knowledgeable without a hint of pretentiousness, they added that special touch to the evening.
The Portion sizes
Here’s a little nugget of honesty. For a group our size, the set menu’s portioning felt a bit like a culinary teaser at times. Especially when you're eyeing the last piece of turbot and wondering if you'll get to relive that buttery goodness. But don’t get me wrong; we weren’t left starving. It just had us wishing for a tad more of everything.
To Wrap It Up...
So, would we return to Brat X Climpson's Arch? In a heartbeat. It’s a place where ambience, food, and service dance in delightful harmony. For anyone considering a visit, here’s some unsolicited advice: Do not skip the turbot.
Till our next food adventure, The Hungry Soles x
Details
Website: www.bratrestaurant.co.uk
Instagram: @bratrestaurant
Our top picks:
The grilled Turbot
Chin Chin (white wine)
Skip the steak
All the sides
(We had a set menu)
