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| The Modernist's Eating Hole |
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| Yellow Sunshine Enamel Chairs |
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| Canal, Waterway, Barge, Crane |
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| Laid Back Comfort |
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| All Hands On Deck |
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| The Line Up. |
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| Dog Art |
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| Aperitif |
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| As It Says On The Tin |
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| Plantains, Chips And Dips |
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| Peruvian Ceviche |
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| Tuna Tostada |
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| And The Kids Love It Here Too |
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| The Prize Courier Delivery |
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| Yes. That Really Is Two Whole Soft Shell Crabs |
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| Batman & Robin, Tabasco & Crab, Gherkin & Bun |
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| Off Piste Menu, Something Chocolatey Delicious |
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| The Perfect Way To End The Night |
#24 Two Dozen
What better place to be for the opening of Euro 2012 football tournament than far away from the television plasma screens and seated at the insanely hip retreat of Shrimpys - the latest place to hang and dine in London.
Opened just 3 weeks ago, Shrimpy's is tucked discreetly away on the site of the previously disused Filling Station; deep in the hub of the impressive Kings cross development, where notable architects of the 21st century have been given carte blanche to renovate this northern artery of London. With the imposing Guardian wave building, the Kings Cross Eurostar development and the new Central St Martins Art & Design school all on the door step, Shrimpy's is cleverly screened away alongside the peaceful Canal waterway.
In case you were wondering, there are no Shrimp farms in the canal.
With a substantial bright neon sign bearing the name 'Filling Station' it might seem unusual to describe Shrimpy's as hidden away, but the stark minimal exterior suggests this destination is for a clientele who know exactly where they are going. (Ok yes, this blogger did get lost on the first attempt.)
The space is designed by architects Carmody Groarke - who also designed the brilliant Bauhaus exhibition at the Barbican - and the restaurant is the latest venture of the owners of the East End hangout, 'Bistrotheque'.
Inside the low hung modernist style bach, with translucent fibreglass screening to the open yard, you find a long manhattan bar, blue velvet banquettes, white linen tablecloths, silver ringed napkins and Donald Urquhart art scribed onto the walls.
The elegant buzz and white jacket service reminds the blogger of the timeless decorum of Harry's Bar in Florence. This is the sort of place you would find a mix of Erno Goldfinger, Woody Allen and Will.i.am deep in conversation poring over the cacti collection on Shrimpys uber long windowsill.
Such an eclectic gathering you could only find in London.
The carefully curated combination of Mexican and Peruvian cuisine has the feeling of being inspired by 'my favourite bites' jotted down inside Ernest Hemingway's diaries. Each plate is beautifully conceived and presented and tastes - to put it bluntly - amazing, supporting the consensus of opinion that London is now a serious and proven gastronomic global player.
The star of the show is the soft shell crab burger. This is innovation in a bun. Two tiny crabs with all 8 legs battered and stacked together like a deft high wire circus act. If this isn't enough excitement, the taste of the perfect thinly sliced gherkin will finish you off. It really is the pearly white gates to burger heaven.
Shrimpy's is all about fine dining with great service in a elevated design setting and for such a purist treat, it is priced correctly, with starters from £6.50 and main courses from £16.
Grab a cocktail as you lounge in the yellow sunshine enamel chairs and watch the stock of this star restaurant go shooting up into the night sky.
If you ever fancy filling up your tank with N1 gas, then this is definitely THE place to come.
