EDWINS

***Note to our Esteemed Readers***

We are going to try some different formats for our blogs - please let us know what you like :-) L & S

Edwins : http://edwinsborough.co.uk

Why did we go? LM picked up good things about Edwins from the social media.  SN: liked the reviews on Tripadvisor.  We were delighted to see that Edwins is also in the 2016 Good Food Guide.

Where is it? It's on Borough High Street a little way away from the bustle and extortion that goes on in and around Borough Market.

What's behind the name? Who is Edwin?: There's a sad history to this tribute to a man born nearly 170 years ago.  Edwin Brady started a collection of curiosities and the pub became The Hole in the Wall in 1883, the curiosities included risqué postcards which one customer found too much.  The sadness was that Edwin was refused a license and died in penury in 1906 of TB.  The Museum went to New Cross, the pub was renamed ten years ago.  But the restaurant and I like to think the enterprising spirit of Edwin remains embodied in this restaurant.

What is it like inside? Its quirky, like and expanded 1950s suburban dining room.  Plenty of room for the diners and lots of nice touches.

Starters: a nice range of small plates, well presented . My Colchester oyster was very tasty - much more so than many I've had in Soho. The girolle risotto was rich and fragrant. LM had a simple but very effective medley of tomato, beetroot and goat's curd - classic flavours beautifully presented.

Drinks: The cocktails were delicious and much more thrilling than the online menu suggests. LM had a citrusy cocktail which sharpened the appetite beautifully. The wine list was too good - a balance of wines of various styles and country of origin, and prices covered wide range. Now I check we ordered a 2011 Burgundy and got a 2012 - the wine was very good, but given the price hike on older wines I think it's important the customer gets what they order.

Service: It's easy to overlook service which is seamless.  But the staff were both discreet and yet somehow ever present (at least when we needed them).  Lovely people, nice responses to our expressions of interest and quick and unflustered.


Main Courses: Our large plates were accompanied with garlic mash and a bowl of greens which were very well done - with just a hint of olive oil on the mash and a vibrance to the greens.

SN: Venison was very tender and the accompaniments were very well balanced.  it was beautifully presented and I'm suddenly a big fan of shallot puree.

LM had grilled halloumi and duck egg on a celeriac hash - portion was possibly a bit too generous but delicious nonetheless.

Desserts: we were full and so shared a most divine dessert of a chocolate pudding with honeycomb ice cream.  Awesome paring and distinctly chocolatey.  SN also enjoyed their flavoursome coffee.

Overall

We'd give Edwins 5 out 5 stars for food, ambience, service and price.

Best Bit:

SN: The venison - so hard to get tender and flavoursome - delicious

LM: the candles

Summary 

A hidden gem without the pretensions of Borough Market but fine, simple ingredients cooked

well in the English style.  They have created homely surroundings with excellent table service and a marvellous tribute to the sad life of the curator of the Hole in the Wall museum of curiosities.