The Princess of Shoreditch

Since working in the Liverpool Street area I have been lucky enough to have Shoreditch right next door to me. Shoreditch has the modern tag of being "hipster" because its young, vibrant andpossibly the coolest place to go to right now. There is so much life in the area and it boasts some great restaurants and pubs where food and drink is plenty.

There is one particular pub in the back streets called the Princess of Shoreditch. The atmosphere in the lower grounds of the pub is electric. You cant get a word in edgeways and the liquor is always flowing.

Upstairs however is the restaurant and there is a clear notable difference in atmosphere. As soon as you go through a set of doors and take a walk up the spiral staircase you emerge into a quaint and quiet little dining area.

You wouldn't think that the restaurant was part of the pub downstairs. The décor is impressive containing massive late 19th/early 20th century portraits and chandeliers.

There were only two waiters looking after the restaurant. The waiter looking after us was very friendly and patient.

The menu changes seasonally and is priced at a very good rate especially being in the heart of London. For two people having two courses and a bottle of wine, you are looking at around £80-£90.

http://www.theprincessofshoreditch.com/Food-menu/dining-room.html

 The dishes we ordered were:

 
• Smoked haddock & salmon fishcake, poached egg, béarnaise sauce
• Rabbit rillette, cornichons and toast
• Sirloin Steak with double cooked chips with a side of seasonal green vegetables
• Belly of pork, braised cheek, black pudding and cider jus

 
 
 

 

 

 

 

The fishcakes were full of flavour and the potato was light and fluffy. The smokiness of the haddock was immediately lifted with the help of the creamy béarnaise sauce. The poached egg was cooked perfectly with the yolk seeping out onto the cake. I could have easily had two.



We didn't have to wait too long for our mains and they both equally looked amazing and appetising. My steak was cooked the way I wanted (rare) and it had bags of flavour where it had been aged over a period of time.

It was succulent and juicy and where it had been chargrilled, it just took it to another level. It was by far one of the best steaks I had eaten. The chips were rustic, crispy and more importantly golden brown.

The belly of pork and braised cheek was exceptional. The pork was moist and the cheek just fell apart after being cooked for hours, slowly in stock.

We didn't go for dessert as the two courses were more than enough.
The dishes were beautifully presented and moreover exceptionally tasty. I wouldn't hesitate to come here again.  The staff in the kitchen and front of house offered excellent service. 
No wonder the Princess of Shoreditch has been mentioned in the Michelin guide and various publications, it is part of East London royalty.