Tag Archives: County Hall

A Day In The Life By Fiona Rule

Posted on by

A DAY IN THE LIFE By Fiona Rule 1

“Woke up, got out of bed,

Dragged a comb across my head.

Found my way downstairs and drank a cup….”

That is where the similarities end between my Day In The Life and Paul McCartney’s. While he sped off in search of a bus, I fire up my computer and peruse the latest crop of emails before getting down to the work that takes up most of my time – research.

A DAY IN THE LIFE By Fiona Rule hertfordarchive

Today, I am looking into the history of Hunsdon House – a spectacularly ancient property in rural Hertfordshire for a private client. My work takes me all over the place and this morning’s destination is the archives at County Hall in Hertford. County and Borough archives are wonderful treasure troves and are open to anyone, free of charge – all you need is proof of ID. However, many are seriously underfunded and some archives I’ve visited are little more than filing rooms. Its a shame that Council finance officers seem so disinterested in their area’s heritage. Nevertheless, Hertford Archives is better equipped than most and I soon find a wealth of deeds and articles on Hunsdon House along with my favourite kind of document – maps.

A DAY IN THE LIFE By Fiona Rule 3

Since the Babylonians carved a map of the world on a piece of stone back in the 6th century BCE, maps have told us far more than a book ever could because they put everything in visual context. For instance, Andrew Dury’s map of Hertfordshire, drawn up in the 1760’s tells me at a glance that at the time, Hunsdon House was the seat of Nicolson Calvert and it was set in elegantly landscaped grounds, with a patchwork of rural fields beyond. Now I have a name, I can find out more about the family.

By cross referencing the maps with deeds and other documents, I manage to piece together a timeline for Hunsdon House and its various occupants over the centuries. This forms the framework onto which I can build a more complete story through online research once I return to the office. I’ve found that this modus operandi works for any size of project, be it the history of one house or an entire area.

A DAY IN THE LIFE By Fiona Rule 4

However, before I return to London, I have one final stop to make. I’ve arranged to meet a friend at a local pub to show her a copy of my new, “big” book – Streets of Sin, which is just about to be published. My books are a bit like children – I’m proud of them despite their flaws and I like to talk about them! Thus, I’m excited to show her this “hot off the press” copy. Thankfully, the reaction is positive and I wend my way home to face the biggest challenge of the day – to stop thinking about research and turn my attentions to more mundane, domestic matters. This can be terrifically hard, especially if I have uncovered something particularly tantalising. I wonder if Paul McCartney has the same problem when he’s writing songs?

 

 

Gillray’s Steakhouse and Bar Review

Posted on by

Gillray’s Steakhouse and Bar is one of London’s gems. Not only is it the perfect place to have one of their amazing cocktails, it also has a stunning location. Right near the London Eye, the view while you eat is something to behold. Which brings us to the food.

When you sit down you will be treated to one of Gillray’s famous Yorkshire Puddings. They are huge, delicious and come with perfect horseradish sauce. They also have cheese in them. My mouth is watering just writing this.

Gillray's Steakhouse and Bar Gillray's Steakhouse and Bar scallops Gillray's Steakhouse and Bar mocktail Gillray's Steakhouse and Bar soup Gillray's Steakhouse and Bar wine

To start I have the Pan fried scallops with brussel tops, crispy ham and cauliflower purée. My colleague has the soup of the day: Cauliflower and truffle. The scallops are perfectly cooked, the crispy ham is just that and the purée gives a very different touch. I am unsure at first but it works. My colleagues soup is also delicious. I have a great mocktail, proving that Gillray’s can still deliver without alcohol and my colleague has a glass of wine that she really enjoys.

Gillray's Steakhouse and Bar burger chips Gillray's Steakhouse and Bar lemon sole Gillray's Steakhouse and Bar cauliflower cheese Gillray's Steakhouse and Bar sauce Gillray's Steakhouse and Bar view London Eye

For our mains I have the Gillray’s Steak Burger. It comes with chips and a wonderful marmalade. The tomato sauce and brown sauce is made especially for Gillray’s, it tasted great and comes in very cute jars. My colleague has the South Coast Lemon Sole with Parsley Butter. On the side she has the Cauliflower Cheese. All is superb.

For dessert my colleague has the Gillray’s classic Traditional Sherry Trifle: layered sponge fingers and red fruit soaked in sherry, covered with custard and topped with whipped cream. It is different, fun, mouth wateringly tasty and you even get the recipe to take away with you. I have the Chef’s Ice Cream. You get three scoops and I choose mint chocolate chip, valrbona dark chocolate and raspberry ripple. The ice cream is yummy. Just as I expected.

 

sherry trifle Gillray's Steakhouse and Bar gillrays ice cream Gillray's Steakhouse and Bar teapot Gillray's Steakhouse and Bar tea Gillray's Steakhouse and Bar view London Eye

 

We finish with an English Breakfast tea for me and an Espresso for my colleague. They go down perfectly after our superb meal. I will definitely be returning to Gillray’s again. I think I will try their afternoon tea next.

Gillray’s Steakhouse and Bar

Gillrays’ Steakhouse & Bar,
London Marriott Hotel County Hall,
Westminster Bridge Road,
SE1 7PB

020 7902 8000, email enquiry@gillrays.com

 

 

 

Gillray’s Steakhouse and Bar Review

Posted on by

Scallops with pea mash and bacon

See our first part on the bar here

When it comes time to dine we are led into the restaurant section of Gillrays. Chandeliers hang from the ceiling and Gillray’s caricatures hang on the wood panelled walls. Everything from the furnishings to the staff are very smart. The same quality and attention to detail we found in the bar continues here.

Our table has wonderful panoramic views of the river Thames and London Eye. We are greeted by Paolo our friendly waiter who immediately puts us at ease despite the grand setting.

Surrey Duck Egg Salad

We are first served with the biggest Yorkshire pudding I have ever seen, which has cheddar cheese in it what a brilliant idea, why has it never been done before?) with horseradish sauce. Full marks for originality and taste.

For a starter I have scallops, with pea mash and bacon. A combination that really works. Everything is done perfectly and the bacon is crispy and is done to the perfect degree. My colleague has the Surrey duck egg salad with bacon and spinach. The poached eggs are perfectly cooked. The bacon is very crispy and excellent just as my bacon was. His only criticism was that there could have been a bit more bacon but the dish was a delight.

For my main I have sirloin steak, which comes with a portobello mushroom, topped with three cooked cherry tomatoes and a wide choice of sauces. I had the peppercorn sauce.

Sirloin steak (this picture doesn’t do it justice)

According to the menu the beef used is 35 day aged Yorkshire Hereford Cattle reared on the Duke of Devonshire’s Bolton Abbey Estate. The quality of the meat really shows and my steak is fantastic.

I greedily tucked into my delicious lamb rump before taking picture as you can see!

My partner deviates from the steaks and instead goes for the lamb rump which is equally good. He is given a generous portion of superb lamb, perfectly cooked.

Our meal was accompanied by an excellent bottle of Sauvignon Blanc

On the side, we had the parmesan and truffle chips, crispy and thick yet also light with the parmesan and hint of truffle they were superb. We both agreed they were some of the best chips we had ever had.

Warm Chocolate Pudding

Gillray’s Trifle

For dessert I had the warm chocolate pudding, which came with a marmalade ice-cream.

My colleague has the traditional sherry trifle, which Gillray’s is obviously proud of, since it takes up half the space on the dessert menu. It comes in a large jar. Paolo, our waiter, unscrews the jar and pours sherry into the trifle. A brilliant and fun experience. It tastes great too.

The service throughout was excellent. Our waiter, Paolo was friendly, professional and knowledgeable. Our food came at the perfect time and Paolo was always there when we wanted him.

This was a wonderful night and an incredible experience. It was hard to find fault  with any part of our evening. A lot of effort has clearly gone into the new look Gillrays and it shows. The staff throughout were brilliant and everything we were served from our cocktails through to our food was first class. There  aren’t many restaurants, with as good a food, in as good a location as this one. Make sure to insist on a window seat, when booking, as it will make all the difference and not all tables have a river view. You will be hard pressed to find better steaks in London. It will be an experience you will remember.

Food 10/10  Service 10/10  Atmosphere 10/10

London Marriott Hotel County Hall, Westminster Bridge Road, SE1 (020 7928 5200). Open daily 6.30am-10.30pm (7am Sat & Sun)

Gillray’s Steakhouse & Bar | Restaurant Review – Part 1: The Bar

Posted on by

The bar at Gillrays

Gillray’s Steakhouse & Bar is situated in a five star hotel, the London Marriott. Which is in turn located in the former seat of London’s government, County Hall, just across Westminster bridge from the Houses of Parliament. Walking up to the hotel to get to the restaurant, one’s breath is taken away by just how beautiful it is. It is so full of class and elegance that you almost feel it is from a different era.

The hotel itself is beautiful. The stuff dreams are made of and as we walk into the restaurant our first view is of a gorgeous English Gin bar, with riverside views of the Southbank. The bar is based on 18th-century social and political caricaturist James Gillray.

The Perfect Martini

 

We talk to Carlos, the bar room manager. Carlos is friendly, passionate and knowledgeable. It’s clear that no expense has been spared and a huge amount of effort has been put into every last detail. Gillray’s Steakhouse & Bar has 35 English gins, and it will soon be ‘over forty’. Only the very best make it onto the menu. The bar looks wonderful, almost like some fantastic chemistry cocktail laboratory.  Everything has been done to an exact science to ensure perfect quality and it comes across in the taste of the cocktails

The menu is fascinating and separated into eras, Georgian, Victorian, Edwardian, contemporary and modern Britain. Each era has its own brilliant Gillray caricature. Although the specialty is Gin there is a huge range of many different cocktails. A full menu can be found here

I ask Carlos for a recommendation and have the St James Martini, something I already had my eye on. It comes in the most perfect glass, looks great and tastes divine. If you love martini’s, make sure you try one.

My colleague has a ‘First Kiss’, made up of Hendrick’s gin with peppermint, lemongrass tea tincture, shaken with lime juice, sugar and fresh pineapple. The result is a delicious, refined and refreshing. One of the best cocktails he has ever had.

The ‘First Kiss’ cocktail

The cocktails were fairly expensive. Most of them are around £10.

However this a real experience. It is something unique that you will remember and it fully justifies the cost. Anyone who loves cocktails must try it, and everyone else should go at least once for the experience.

Having finished off our cocktails we head off to the restaurant area behind the bar. You will be able to  read a full review of the restaurant part of Gillray’s Steakhouse & Bar very shortly.

Part 2 here