A passion for great seafood and service was at the heart of a small oyster shack in Loch Fyne. This in turn led to this sumptuous seafood restaurant in the heart of the City. If you’re looking for a mouthwatering à la carte menu in our national’s capital, you will find exactly what you’re looking for at Loch Fyne.
Venue
You enter Loch Fyne from within the elegant and enchanting Leadenhall Market, surrounded by the bustling centre of the City. It’s a large, bright space with a warm and inviting open plan design lit softly by some judiciously placed spotlights. There are simple wooden tables and wooden beams, and walls are adorned with black and white tiles and paintings of fish and parts of the British coastline. There’s also a large glass cabinet on one side displaying the fresh fish of the day.
Atmosphere
Service is friendly, polite and knowledgeable, with expert recommendations on both the wine to suit your meal and on all those enticing options on the food menu. The restaurant has a formal yet friendly air with well-dressed clientele and a constant level of laid-back chatter.
Menu
With roots firmly in Loch Fyne on the west coast of Scotland, they have become famous all over the country for sustainably sourced fresh and delicious seafood.
Much of the shellfish and smoked fish served in the restaurants still comes direct from the loch and is delivered so fresh you can taste the fresh spring water that tumbles down from the surrounding mountains when you tuck into a delicious Loch Fyne oyster.
All Loch Fyne seafood is carefully sourced, either from abundant wild stocks or responsible farms. Starters all come in at around the £5-£7 mark. For something warm and rich, there’s an excellent lobster bisque with a hearty, creamy sauce and slice of garlic bread, or deep-fried salt and pepper squid with a delicious texture to the coating and a freshness that works well with the hint of chill and lime. Other options include mussel and clam chowder, a fisherman’s plate of fish and bread to share, or mushroom and camembert bake, which is a good choice for vegetarians.
The selection of mains comprises a huge feast of fresh and delicious seafood dishes. The classic bouillabaisse stews together mussels, salmon and king prawns in a thick fennel-fueled sauce flavoured with tarragon, dill and coriander. The pieces of fish are great fleshy chunks and the sauce has a lovely consistency. Monkfish and prawn Thai curry combines coconut milk, ginger, lots of lemongrass and the spicy warmth of chilli. It’s served with perfect Thai rice and some slightly disappointing prawn crackers. Other mains include salmon and king prawn miso, traditional fisherman’s pie, pumpkin and lemon-ricotta ravioli, and Loch Fyne specialities of smoked salmon, oysters and moules marinieres. Mains are about £10-£16.
From very fine seafood to traditional desserts (£6-£7) such as a pretty-much-perfect creme brulee, and an excellent sticky toffee pudding that boasts a big wedge of toffee sponge with most of the flavour coming from the rich and finger-lickingly good toffee sauce.
Drink
The wine list is long and pleasing with particular mention to the white Closheim Reisling – its light, lime zestiness sits especially well with seafood. There are also beers and soft drinks, as well as spirits housed on the large bar down one side.
Summary
The image of the original seafood shack on the west coast of Scotland is long gone, but the enthusiasm for fantastic seafood and great complementary flavours remains.
| Leadenhall Market, 77-78 Gracechurch Street, London, EC3V 0AS | Transport: Covent Garden tube |
| Telephone: +44 020 7929 8380
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Opening Times: Mon-Fri 8:00-22:00, Sat & Sun Closed |
| Available for private hire | Website |
