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Friday 10 May 2013

BONNIE GULL



The Bonnie Gull Stamp


Raising A Mussel


The Cosy, Airy, Interior


Cocktail Of The Week, Ernest Hemmingway


Rope Tricks


The House Wine Is Lovely


The Fresh French Bread Is Delicious


Isle Of Bar Cockles, Parsley, Bacon


Isle Of Man Queenies, Pea, Mint & Lettuce Veloute


Line-Caught Cod, In Season Asparagus, Broad Beans


Beer Battered Whiting, Beef Dripping Chips, Mushy Peas


Scallop Shell Door Knob, Powder Room


#43  Down On Your Knees


Bonne Chance.



It was Bonne Chance I stumbled across Bonnie Gull and into Alex on the threshold of this nifty little Seafood Shack restaurant.

The Bonnie Gull is a Clarion Call to British Seafood and is bringing the Fish into the City.  Sure there are some local fish in the Thames, but a lot of our nation's fish with the very best of intentions are packed on ice at Billingsgate Market and there aren't too many dedicated Seafood restaurants in the big smoke.

Having just returned from a trip to fish country in Padstow, Cornwall it was the perfect time to have a peak inside Bonnie Gull. 

Simple, fresh and responsibly sourced, Bonnie Gull are clearly doing it for the fish. With a skilled team of fish centric chefs and a raw bar offering shellfish direct from British Shores , it was no surprise to find a trunk of Oysters on Ice, reflecting across the restaurant courtesy of a super polished glass mirror. There is an ambience here that sings of being next to the British Coastline and the wild sea.

The atmosphere is relaxed and intimate with crisp white walls, original timber floors and fisherman's rope decor on the walls forming patterns that look like a surfers dream with waves to ride and a friendly giant Octopus. 

The House white Coteaux du Giennois was recommended to us and was lovely. The fresh french bread is delicious and perfect for mopping up the Isle Of Bar Cockles, garnished with parsley and bacon. A winning combination.

The Isle Of Man Queenie's Scallops that we shared was served with Pea, Mint, & Lettuce Veloute and this dish was truly exceptional. Innovative, tasty, colourful and heartening.

For mains, Fish and Chips, courtesy of a lightly beer battered Whiting, with chunky, chiseled featured beef dripping chips, mushy peas, shack ketchup and a shack tartar sauce that left us gasping.  Because it was SO good.

My dining companion and date for the evening was on song and making madonna-esque mussel arm poses which were most fitting of our environ. Her main was Line-Caught Cod, wrapped prosciutto, asparagus, broad beans and Cockles. Luckily she is a great sharer and I was offered a taster. We would have loved to have met the person who had Line caught the Asparagus , they were incredible and perfectly in season. 

As the Lemon Curd Tart, Blood Orange Sorbet had sold out, for pudding we shared a Bakewell Tart, Vanilla Ice Cream. We clearly had fate on our side, as the tart with a sprinkle of almonds on top was a slice of beautiful too.

Dont forget to book. The Small Best things in life fill up fast.

We will be returning with friends to the Seafood Shack and look forward to Bonnie Gull becoming one of our Favourite Places To Eat.


Bonnie Gull, 21 A Foley Street


Favourite Places To Eat

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