Avenue, St James.

 

The other week I was walking back to Waterloo from ROSL, and stumbled across Avenue just down the road opposite The Carlton Club. I’d never noticed it before but it looked pretty trendy and swish, and after a quick Google I realised why; it’s a D&D restaurant. One of my favourite restaurants in London is Quaglino’s, another D&D restaurant, so I knew it’d be pretty good. I hurriedly texted C and we booked a table.

 

When I went to have a look at the menu online and book, I noticed the Evening Standard menu, everything looked delicious, and at a bargain £20 for two courses and a glass of wine, we decided to book that, and said that if we felt like an A La Carte option when we got there then we’d just switch to the full menu.

 

The restaurant itself is classy and trendy, and has a very different vibe to Quaglino’s. While Quags is full of glamour and has dark moody lighting (perfect for a date night), Avenue is light and bright with trendy art work adorning the walls. It’s been designed in a high end New York brasserie style, with American dishes throughout the menu.

 

C is a savoury girl while I’m a sweet, so she opted for a starter and I decided to go for a dessert. To start with she had the Salad of cured ham with slow cooked egg and san marzano tomatoes, however she was unimpressed. Her comment was that despite the dish tasting good, at the end of the day it was just ham and tomatoes.While she tucked into her starter I tested out the bread. It was good however I was disappointed not to have a choice in bread, it was wholemeal or naught.

 

We committed the cardinal sin of testing out a restaurant/blogging it and went for the same main; Roast Bream with summer squash ratatouille. Except while C got potatoes on the side, I erm…got Mac & Cheese. Yes. I heard that sharp intake of breath. But don’t judge me, it was so worth it. I’d had a stressful day and just needed some Mac & Cheese, and boy was it worth it. Despite what Jay Rayner said about it, this has to be one of the best ones I’ve had, I’d say it’s even up there with the Dirty Bones one!

 

 

For dessert I opted for the Roast almond panna cotta with poached cherries, it was tasty, but not the best panna cotta I’ve had, and certainly not as good as the one at it’s sister restaurant Quaglino’s.

 

We had a lovely meal, and the food was good, however with Quags round the corner and at the same price point with similar dishes, I think I’ll stick to there in future. They’re very different restaurants, and it honestly just depends on personal preference as to which atmosphere you prefer. Apologies for comparing the two so intensely, they just felt very similar food-wise so it’s hard not to!
I will definitely be back just for the Mac & Cheese though. Do you think you can walk into a restaurant and just order a side!?

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Catherine Lux
Catherine Lux

Catherine Lux is a veteran travel blogger by night and the Head of SEO at Havas Media Group by day. Originally from Surrey, she spent four years living in Australia (2007-2009, and 2016-2018), and now lives in London. An ex-party girl sometimes prone to relapses, she loves nothing more than sharing her fine dining and luxury travel experiences with her loyal readers.

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12 Comments

  1. Anonymous
    August 10, 2015 / 9:40 pm

    I do like the d&d restaurants, not sure I will give Avenue a gander though. Well maybe if the allowed me to have mac n cheese and plenty of wine only. xx

    Zoe | Love and Limoncello

    • Catherine Lux
      August 15, 2015 / 4:35 pm

      Haha! It's definitely worth going to – I think it's just me being fussy. Definitely worth going to just for the mac & cheese though!

  2. LuxuryColumnist
    August 10, 2015 / 10:03 pm

    One of my old haunts for drinks 😉 Ddin't realise they did mac and cheese!

    Suze | LuxuryColumnist

    • Catherine Lux
      August 15, 2015 / 4:36 pm

      Haha! You should go back – it's been completely redone and relaunched!

  3. Unknown
    August 11, 2015 / 8:44 am

    You just can't beat mac n cheese – or Quaglino's for that matter, it will always be one of my favourite restaurants!

    Lauren xx | The Lifestyle Diaries

    • Catherine Lux
      August 15, 2015 / 4:36 pm

      Agreed!!

  4. Angie SilverSpoon
    August 11, 2015 / 9:15 am

    The food sounds a little hit and miss but the decor looks really gorgeous! Plus a great location.
    Lots of love,
    Angie

    SilverSpoon London

    • Catherine Lux
      August 15, 2015 / 4:38 pm

      I think you'd love it Angie, the decor is very you!

  5. Andrea Petersen
    August 11, 2015 / 2:02 pm

    I haven't been to Quaglino's or Avenue but now I know which to go to if I do 😉 shame you didn't love all of your dishes, although the fish looks delish! Lots of love, Andrea xxx

    Andrea's Passions

    • Catherine Lux
      August 15, 2015 / 4:47 pm

      You MUST go to Quaglino's! It's magical!

  6. Unknown
    August 13, 2015 / 8:28 am

    Any decent restaurant would understand the lust for Mac & Cheese I feel…

    • Catherine Lux
      August 15, 2015 / 5:07 pm

      Haha! 😛

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