The Eatery: Bonnie Gull Seafood Shack, 21A Foley Street, London, W1W 6DS
The Site: http://www.bonniegullseafoodshack.com
The Companion: Intimate date or cosy catch up with a friend
The Dolla: A meal for two with drinks costs around £130
If you want first-class fresh seafood, cocktails and a relaxed atmosphere look no further than the Bonnie Gull; the self-proclaimed 'seaside restaurant in the city'. You can find a taste of the seaside hiding on cute and quiet Foley Street near Goodge Street Station. It's nice to find a fish restaurant which isn't stuffy or horribly overpriced! When you first arrive and have to figure out how to manoeuvre around this tiny restaurant you do realise it is a very small space, so if intimacy (with all the clientele) isn't what you're looking for give it a miss, personally, I think it's cute as a button.
I'd start off with a seaside cocktail, go for the Bonnie Mary - House Made 'Clamato' Juice, Chase Smoked Vodka and Topped with an Oyster if you're a real seafood lover or a Bonnie Lass - Element 29 Vodka, St Germain Elderflower Liqueur and Peach Bitters if you want something sweeter.
If you're sharing with a friend you could tuck into some 'Pre-Starters' like the Dorset Clams ‘Bulhão Pato’ garnished with coriander and garlic or the Cornish Grade ‘A’ Moules Marinière with Tortano Bread which are plates designed to share. The menu changes daily so you might not spot all of this if you go, we went straight for the Smoked Salmon Blini starter and the trout which was tasty and delicately dressed.
Next, onto the main - scanning the menu I spotted a whole range of well thought-out dishes with a wide variety of ingredients and some really exciting flavours and textures. Our fish was beautifully cooked, take a look at the hake topped with clams and lentils.
If this looks a little TOO fishy for you there's always the Beer Battered North Sea Haddock with Beef Dripping Chunky Chip, Shack Ketchup and Mushy Peas. If your dish doesn't come with a side, definitely consider the Skinny Fries with Rosemary Salt - light and crispy.
To top it all off we went for an English classic; Strawberry Eton Mess. Although this looked pretty impressive, the deconstruction didn't really work for me and there wasn't enough crunchy meringue for my sweet tooth. The basil jelly was an interesting touch though!
All in all though, I loved my experience at the Bonnie Gull, it was pretty affordable, staff were friendly and the short daily menu was varied and well thought-out; I WAS AS HAPPY AS A CLAM.
