Eight Restaurant

Well known in City circles for Eight members’ club in Change Alley, Eight also has a newer Moorgate location that hides a top notch restaurant.

Once you step through the doorway into the restaurant it’s like a different world to the bland, grey streets outside, with bright white walls covered with a frequently changing display of artwork courtesy of Eleven art gallery on Eccleston Street.

Tables are dressed in crisp white cloths and are flanked by dove grey, studded leather chairs. Some are set up around a large central banquette seating area, lit up by a modern, almost chandelier-like light fixture. The other tables border the floor to ceiling windows that look over the balcony, furnished with casual wooden tables and chairs. There’s a large open kitchen, sealed off by glass, and although it’s a bit hard to see exactly what’s going on the chefs are refreshingly never still. One floor up is the lounge, which continues the subdued colour theme with plush grey chairs and velvety sofas. The balcony up here extends a bit further, with a few larger tables and dedicated barbecue, cigar and Champagne areas.

Service here is outstanding, with staff well-schooled in everything from the art on the walls to the intricacies of the menu. No question is too difficult – or too ridiculous – and they’ve obviously been trained well and have pride in where they work. Although the restaurant is currently open to the public, it will eventually be members’ only. Membership includes dual membership with Eight in Bank, priority when booking a table in a restaurant and a host of smaller perks that are nonetheless still impressive, such as your own dedicated shelf in the restaurant’s wine cabinet, labelled with your name.

The Modern European menu looks interesting but the simple descriptions don’t do justice to what’s on the plate when the food arrives. Everything is presented brilliantly, with a vibrant mix of colours and thoughtful, unique touches. Portions are decent but not oversized, meaning you get enough for the price but not too much that you leave stuffed. Prices vary; those looking to splash out will find ample opportunity but otherwise the range of £13 to £22 for mains is not unreasonable for The City. A three course set menu is also available for £21, with a choice of three options per course. A four course menu with an endless supply of Taittinger Champagne is also available for £45, featuring dishes such as seared scallops on Irish black pudding with sauce vierge and duck leg confit with Dauphinoise potatoes, braised cabbage and raisins.

A long cocktail list of several pages is also reasonably priced, starting at around £8 and slightly more for Champagne cocktails. Drinks are divided up into sections, fruit-based, floral cocktails and traditional Prohibition-era drinks with a modern twist. Each is cleverly named, most of them after a famous actor or film. From the list of floral cocktails, The Gold Rush is a sweet and sour mix of Zubrowka bison grass vodka, cooled camomile tea, apricot brandy and, interestingly, lime marmalade, which gives it a slightly thicker texture than you’d expect. It’s a well blended drink, served in a martini glass, with a pale green colour and a tart, tangy taste – a must-try.

The cocktail menu also has a thorough wine list. There are also a few recommended glasses of wine on the main menu, including a rich, honey-flavoured French Chablis (£12 a glass and £48.50 a bottle) and a smooth, deeply fruity Viognier from Chile at £8 a glass and £32.50 a bottle. Other prices range from about £23 to £50 per bottle and glasses and carafes are also available. Champagnes start at about £50 and reach around £500 for a vintage Krug Collection.

Make your way to Eight restaurant whilst you still can, before they make membership a requirement. With impeccable service, impressive decor and a well thought out, interesting menu, Eight easily rates a full five stars.