The Ivy | Restaurant Richmond, London | Review

The Ivy Cafe, Richmond, London

For years I've always thought Richmond and Twickenham diners have been missing out on the full experience of brasserie dining. Something often enjoyed by those within London itself at places like The Savoy Grill, Bar Boulud, Joel Brasserie and many more. So when Caprice Holdings (the company behind The Ivy Restaurant groups) secured the old All Bar One site in Richmond, it was with much anticipation and excitement that Richmond finally has a brasserie where one can in enjoy very good simple food in a somewhat opulent environment.

Scallop starter, The Ivy Restaurant Richmond, London

Well at least it tries to be - the food at The Ivy Group is probably not quite up to say those of Joel Brasserie or Bar Boulud, but it does have all the pretentiousness one could saturate oneself in - if you are that way inclined. For the rest like myself, it can be somewhere special to have steak or lobster and chips with a glass of fizz in a lovely surrounding with excellent service. After all, we have been deprived all this time and I am certain The Ivy in Richmond has a captive audience and especially seeing they have priced their menu very well its going to be tough securing a booking here on a Friday or Saturday.

Lobster Thermidor, The Ivy Richmond, London

We visited the Ivy a week into their launch day so to avoid any opening week jitters. We tried The Ivy's own champagne - enjoyable and very easy on the palate. The dining room has been completely re-furbished from the All Bar One days, although most of the layout has remained intact. The toilets are still upstairs and there is a private dining area upstairs as well - everything has been refurbished beautifully with the Ivy's theme throughout.

The Bar, The Ivy Restaurant Richmond, London

I found the food as I mentioned earlier, doesn't have the refinement of say some of the more grand brasseries in London, (it was really only the mains that I thought this) but they were actually very good value for money. The starters and desserts were fabulous with the scallop starter the strongest plate of the night. The lobster was generous and prepared nicely, all the meat had been carefully extracted so that you were able to eat it with minimal fuss. It had good serving of sauce even if a little sloppy but nice strong tarragon flavours. Both desserts were delicious, but the flourless cappuccino cake was a definite winner. There are details that The Ivy have you most definitely won't experience in Richmond for instance, staff are immaculately presented, the lemons are prepared so that it is little effort to squeeze, the menus and plates are adorned with The Ivy logo, art on the walls - it goes on.

Apple Tart, The Ivy Richmond, London

I really enjoyed my evening at The Ivy. I am glad we have a brasserie like this in Richmond, and while I love this type of dining I will still enjoy all the other fantastic independent restaurants we have here in the Borough, probably even more now that I know that I can experience a little bit of London town right on my doorstep.

Interior Dining Room, The Ivy Restaurant Richmond, London

Flourless chocolate cake, The Ivy Restaurant Richmond, London