Strolling along the Southbank of the River Thames, you can’t fail to notice the Sea Containers building and in particular the restaurant that looks straight out onto the bank, with its large plate glass windows and intriguing interiors. The restaurant is part of the trendy Mondrian Hotel, and really is a great addition to the Southbank.
The entrance to the restaurant is impressive. From the lobby of the hotel, a copper-clad hull guides you into the large restaurant, which boasts an open-plan kitchen featuring an impressive wood-fired oven. Apparently, the design of the restaurant is inspired by the Golden Age of Transatlantic travel and was designed under the creative direction of visionary Tom Dixon. At the centre of the restaurant, there is an amazing iconic 18-seat signature stainless steel bar designed to reflect an American diner, together with a Yellow Submarine which continues the maritime theme of the hotel. The atmosphere buzzes with family groups, girly get-togethers, occasion celebrators, business discussions, dating couples and friendly banter. This was early afternoon on a Saturday, and provided the perfect casual, yet upbeat vibe to start the weekend. Oh, and it is (arguably) one of the best spots in London to enjoy people watching, if you manage to be seated in one of the window tables that looks onto the Southbank.
The restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner daily and offers a Grey Goose bottomless Bloody Mary or Prosecco, brunch on the weekend, with menus reflecting the best locally sourced produce. We were there for Brunch, which is available between 12 – 4pm every Saturday and Sunday.
The Brunch menu offers a sumptuous American and British selection. I opted for the Braised Beef Brunch Burrito (£18). It was served with spicy BBQ beans, sunny side up egg, rice, avocado pure´e, tomato salsa and corn nuts. This was undoubtedly the tastiest burrito I have ever enjoyed in London. Consumed with a side order of Truffled Mac and Cheese (£7) I was in heaven! My wife chose to be slightly healthier and opted for the Crab Omelette (£15); Portland crab with avocado, heritage tomato, jalapen~o and coriander. She did, however, compliment it with a side order of Triple Cooked Chips (£5)!
The kids, who by the way eat free between 12pm and 5pm every weekend, tucked into an equally appetising menu suitable for a younger palette.
We enjoyed a couple of delicious, freshly made cocktails (I really recommend Le Grand Fizz Riviera), and they also offer some fresh juices for the more health conscious, including Clean Beet and Lean Green (both £8). The cocktails are £13 - £14, but we must give mention to the amazing Bottomless Grey Goose Bloody Mary (which is excellent value at £18). Whilst I am not a Bloody Mary fan, I simply had to give it a try, especially with the added attraction of the dedicated ‘Bloody Mary wagon’. This wooden wagon looks like it has been wheeled straight from an artisan food market and invites you to ‘pimp’ your drink with an amazing selection of fresh ingredients, to create your own, perfectly individual, version of a Bloody Mary. I was tempted to venture completely out of my comfort zone and found myself adding fresh chilli, cornichons, Sicilian lemon, Himalayan salt, celery and a good slug of tabasco sauce! It was not only fun, but tasted great (maybe a little less tabasco next time). I would certainly have a Bloody Mary again, and maybe next time will even go bottomless! We noticed that many of the diners around us were enjoying the bottomless Prosecco, which again is excellent value at £18.
Other diners were enjoying some amazing looking Roasts – from a choice of Roast Corn-Fed Chicken, Leg of Lamb, Double-cut Heritage Pork Chop, Dry-age Bone in Ribeye and Whole Brill, ranging in price from £35 to £75 (these are made for two to share), and served with roast potatoes, season British vegetables and Yorkshire Pudding. Not that we had food envy, but let’s just say that another visit on a Sunday, around lunch time, looks imminent!
Brunch in my experience does not traditionally include dessert, but once you have seen the dessert options you may think this tradition needs an overhaul. With favourites including Chocolate Lava Cake (£9), Classic Carrot Cake (£9), and Selection of British Cheeses (£14), we were too weak to resist. I shared the Trio of Ice Cream Sundae (£9) with the kids (well, I just about got a look-in). Comprised of Oreo, Snickers & chocolate ice cream, where could you go wrong? It was a perfect conclusion to my brunch experience, and a real weekend treat. My wife chose the Pecan Pie (£9), which she savoured over every mouthful. Served with vanilla ice cream, this was a classic American dessert done extremely well - I can write this, as the person who had the task of polishing off the plate!
Sea Containers boasts stunning views over the Thames, and if you want to get a step closer to the vista, the riverside terrace offers al fresco dining (operational until September) with heaters, cosy cushions and throws for the changeable British weather. Picket fencing lines the dining area and blue and white fabrics, fitting of the nautical Riviera theme, transforming the space into London’s very own Cote D‘Azur.
Sea Containers is a venue you will want to return to. It was great for brunch, but I imagine it has a very cool, sophisticated evening vibe. Together with the stunning backdrop of St Pauls and the City, I can’t think of a better location to spend a balmy summer’s evening than outside on the Riverside Terrace enjoying some drinks, or even a chilly one wrapped in blankets being warmed by the heaters!
Sea Containers Upper Ground, London, SE1 9PD, Telephone: 020 3747 1063
Website: www.seacontainersrestaurant.com
