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Perfect garden all year round
THE Rock Garden, now in its 30th year, has become the doyen of entertainment in this historic area of London.
The imposing three-storey corner building has a prime location in one of Covent Garden piazzas.
The large outdoor terrace is a fun place to enjoy the busy surroundings whilst maintaining a degree of privacy.
It is perfect for dining all year round as it is covered and during the cold months it has outdoor heaters.
The terrace leads to a large room with an interesting fabric ceiling and large chandeliers.
The first floor has a charming intimate area with windows overlooking Covent Garden market.
When I visited it was warm and we chose a corner table for two (No 20) where lunch proceeded in a delightful unhurried way.
The Rock Garden has an extensive a la carte menu plus several dishes of the week – these are written on blackboards which are in strategic places around the restaurant.
One of them is the centre piece of the main room indoors and I learned that it takes a member of staff about an hour to write it – well worth it.
We had the camembert frit (£6.50) and the Crab salad (£6.95) to start followed by the roast confit duck leg, lentil and green pepper corn puree in a Cabernet sauce (£14.95) and grilled sea bass with market vegetables (£14.95).
For dessert we chose the Vanilla crème brulee with brandy snap biscuits (£5.50) and warm waffles with pear and cinnamon compote, vanilla ice cream and chocolate sauce (£5.50).
Everything gets a 10 out of 10 for presentation and taste.
Their house wines are Italian at £13.95 but we chose an excellent Vina Morande, Sauvignon Blanc from Chile at £18. The Rock Garden specialises in gourmet burgers which are char grilled and served with caramelised onions, pickles and chips.
They are either 100 per cent prime British beef, barbecued chicken or a giant flat cap mushroom and cheddar cheese (from £10.95 to £12.95) plus various toppings to choose from at £1.50 each (dolce latte blue cheese, onion rings, crispy bacon).
The restaurant can accommodate large parties of up to 500 people.
It also has The Gardening Club nightclub, featuring mainstream music, which is housed in a vault below the restaurant and opens at 5pm. until 3am.
Discounted London theatre tickets are available with dinner and theatre packages at competitive prices.
The pre-theatre menu at £8.50 for two courses is great value. After theatre last orders are at 11pm.
Whether you visit the area for a stroll to listen to the amateur opera singers and other performers hoping to be ‘discovered’ or browse at the many stalls and shops, you cannot help being reminded of Eliza Doolittle and her violets.
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