Hotel restaurants in London used to be staid affairs serving up bland food for theatregoers but they have, on the heels of many a London restaurant, been undergoing a foodie revolution.
On the ground floor of the Covent Garden Hotel, one such restaurant – Brasserie Max – is doing a pretty stellar job of serving up seasonal, locally-sourced food in an unstuffy atmosphere. That’s not to suggest a visit doesn’t feel like an occasion; thanks to the zinc bar lining the far wall and decadent low-lighting, I still felt it was a suitably special affair (little note to those saving pennies: the prices at this place prohibits it from becoming a regular and tips it into the ‘occasional treat’ box).
The food ranged from very good to spectacular – the Truffle Macaroni and Sticky Toffee Pudding were particular highlights – and the cocktails? To die for. I will be returning for the Lychee and Elderflower concoction, in which the sweetness was perfectly balanced with grapefruit bitters and lemon juice.