Join the rewards club for food lovers and unlock rewards

Frog by Adam Handling

British, Modern European·
££££
·
Gold Award
·

SquareMeal Review of Frog by Adam Handling

Gold Award

Hot on the heels of The Frog E1 in Hoxton, MasterChef: The Professionals finalist Adam Handling has opened this more formal all-day flagship in Covent Garden.

It’s clear that Handling is looking to make himself a household name – his cookbook greets you at the reception desk, his name is emblazoned on staff aprons, and the moody basement bar is themed with Adam and Eve imagery. Self-indulgence aside, The Frog’s five or eight-course tasting menu impresses with high-octane combinations, including butter whipped with chicken fat, topped with crispy chicken skin and served with sourdough, and razor clams shrouded in dry ice.

We opted for the five-course menu, starting out with impressive warm savoury doughnuts, oozing cheese and topped with shreds of earthy black truffle. Other highlights are a tender helping of Iberico pork made sharp with kimchi and smoky roasted cauliflower, and an intriguing veggie option of a papery slice of celeriac folded over apple, date, egg yolk and thick cream.

A knowledgeable and chatty sommelier explains unexpected wine options, such as the light pink, fruity number that comes with dessert. The final course is just as ambitious – a chocolate-covered marshmallow conceals bursts of raspberry with vanilla ice cream, while a mango and coconut cheesecake offers a lighter option.

Handling is also aware of the rising popularity of meat-free and plant-based diets, offering an alternative tasting menu alongside the regular offering which is entirely vegetarian. On that menu, you might come across dishes such as roasted gnocchi with squash and chestnuts, as well as a concoction involving cucumber, gooseberry, oyster leaf and dill.  

With its Instagram-baiting dishes and unique flavour combinations, it’s clear that Handling is on to a winner with The Frog, which was impressively busy on our mid-week visit. It’s safe to say that he has made the leap into chef stardom.

Good to know

Spend SquareMeal Smart Vouchers
Average Price
££££ - Over £80
Cuisines
British, Modern European
Eat at Home
Home delivery
Ambience
Cool, Fine dining, Fun, Lively, Quiet conversation, Quirky, Romantic
Awards
One Michelin star, SquareMeal London Top 100
Food Occasions
Dinner, Lunch
Special Features
Counter dining, Vegan options, Vegetarian options
Perfect for
Birthdays, Celebrations, Dates, Group dining [8+], Romantic, Special occasions

About

Adam Handling has established himself as one of the brightest young talents on the London dining scene since opening his first solo restaurant in 2016. This Covent Garden restaurant and private dining room is the flagship for the Adam Handling Restaurant Group, which also operates The Loch & the Tyne in Old Windsor and Ugly Butterfly in Cornwall. Frog by Adam Handling is the chef's Michelin-starred flagship restaurant, serving curious and intriguing tasting menus.

Walk past at night when the restaurant’s glow spills out onto Southampton Row and you’ll be struck by the sort of convivial scene that makes you want to make a booking on the spot. The open kitchen is the focus of the dark and stark dining room, with chairs angled to give a view of the chefs toiling away and a counter for diners who want to get up close and personal with the restaurant theatre that unfolds over the course of a service.

You can, of course, ignore what’s going on at the pass and focus instead on what arrives on the plate. Start with a couple of ‘snacks’ while you peruse the menu: cured trout tart - a crispy tart filled wilth dill emulsion, ponzu, trout tail and fresh fennel salad or lamb tartare with kimchi - lamb trim tartare seasoned with red pepper and cauliflower kimchi, finished with kimchi emulsion

A pair of tasting menus offer Handling's signature dishes in miniature (including stunning lobster tail and claw cooked in Wagyu fat), which may be a better way to get the most out of Handling’s undoubted talent for bold brushstrokes of savoury flavour.

There are also various pairings available to order alongside the tasting menu, including a juice pairing, wine, premium wine, and Cali Burgundy Excellence.


FAQs

Does the restaurant have a Michelin star?

Yes, the restaurant has one Michelin star.

Helpful? 0

Can vegans and vegetarians eat at the restaurant?

The restaurant offers a dedicated vegan tasting menu that is suitable for vegans and vegetarians.

Helpful? 0

Location

34-35 Southampton Street, Covent Garden, London, WC2E 7HG

020 7199 8370 020 7199 8370

Website

Opening Times

Lunch
Mon Closed
Tue Closed
Wed 12:00-14:30
Thu 12:00-14:30
Fri 12:00-14:30
Sat 12:00-14:30
Sun Closed
Dinner
Mon 17:00-23:00
Tue 17:00-23:00
Wed 17:00-23:00
Thu 17:00-23:00
Fri 17:00-23:00
Sat 17:00-23:00
Sun Closed

Reviews

Share your thoughts with other diners

Write a review


18 Reviews 
Food/Drink
Service
Atmosphere
Value

Alister W

13 March 2024   - Verified Diner
Food & Drink 5
Service 5
Atmosphere 4
Value 4

Outstanding Food!

I have not been so impressed with fine dining in a long time but this was really outstanding (and I do not often say this).  Service was excellent and they accommodated our request for an early start / speedy service to get to a matinee theatre performance without a moments hesitation (despite an errant son being late.....).

I had not realised that it was only a fixed menu (my fault not the restaurant's).  My wife and I thought the pescatarian version was fabulous  whilst two carniverous sons loved the meat version. 

It is not cheap but well worth a visit if your wallet can stand it!

Marissa I

28 December 2022  
Food & Drink 5
Service 5
Atmosphere 5
Value 5

This restaurant surpassed many others which claim to be in it's category but they are a shadow in its immense presence! The service was second to none and the food exceptional and exciting!

Shelley S

27 December 2022  
Food & Drink 5
Service 5
Atmosphere 5
Value 5

Adventurous and theatrical experience, sustainability focused, relaxed but very professional service and clever wine pairings 

Inci M

23 November 2022  
Food & Drink 5
Service 5
Atmosphere 5
Value 5

Outstanding!

Guy B

12 August 2022   - Verified Diner
Food & Drink 5
Service 5
Atmosphere 4
Value 4

Exceptional cooking with dish upon dish a work of art whose sublime flavours met the promise of its beauty. Almost flawless cooking brought to our table by a knowledgeable and friendly front of house team whose passion for the kitchen's creations shone through as they explained each dish. At the top end of the price for an establishment with a single Michelin star - but then by the end of the meal we had to agree just one star short changes what the kitchen has produced and had to concur that though pricey we received great value. 

Lloyd S

22 September 2020  
Food & Drink 5
Service 5
Atmosphere 5
Value 5
An Outstanding Lunch

This was our first visit to Frog by Adam Handling and I can assure you right now it will not be our last. We'd previously enjoyed the food inspired by Adam at his branch in Hoxton which due to the current situation sadly had to close. This meant we now had no excuse not to visit his main restaurant in Covent Garden. This would also give us the chance to meet up with some of the Frog team who were now working here. So on a sunny saturday we headed into town. The restaurant itself is situated on Southampton Street which was buzzing with people dining outside in the street. We arrived at the restaurant and were given a fabulous welcome from first Maria and then George. Our temperature was taken and hands were sanitized and in we went. All the tables were nicely spaced out giving the staff plenty of room to move around. It was also great to see that no one was wearing a face shield or mask. Our table was in a fabulous spot right in front of the open kitchen allowing us to watch the chefs in action. As we sat down there was a hello from Jamie & Enrique in the kitchen and also head chef Cleverson who it was a pleasure to meet for the first time.

We started with a complimentary glass of sparkling wine while we looked at the menus. Here you had a choice of A la Carte or different types of tasting menus which include vegetarian & vegan. The tasting menu was ten courses if you include the supplement dish which is exactly what we decided to do.

First to arrive was some of the most amazing snacks which included the famous Cheese Truffle Doughnuts. We enjoyed these along with two fabulous cocktails the British Tea Company and a Pandan Old Fashioned.

This was followed by the Sourdough Bread and the heavenly Chicken Butter before we moved onto the first course of the tasting menu. With our first course came a nice little surprise as alongside the Crab , grapefruit & cauliflower the chef sent over one of Adam's signature dishes the Celeriac with black truffle , dates , lime & apple which had been adapted once more to produce this time a lighter yet still full of flavour creation.

Now it was time for our second course of Cep Agnolotti , parsley & garlic. This was followed by the supplement dish and a must have it is to. This was a stunning Crispy Oyster with Caviar served in a giant oyster shell. Then our palate was refreshed with a delightful Tomato Salad.

We were enjoying these dishes with a fabulous Jasnieres Cuvee du Silex 2018 from France chosen by sommelier Kelvin which was full of lemon , pear & apples and in fact a perfect match. The next course was the restaurants signature dish. This was the Wagyu Lobster that was absolutely stunning. We followed this with another fantastic dish of Cod , mussels & butter leaf. The next dish was simply delicious and it was Chicken & Chips like you've never known before. The chicken breast was topped with haggis and came with a caesar salad snack and heavenly chips.

Now it was time for desserts which started with a Cheese , apple & meadowsweet that was a delight. We followed this with the Chocolate , cherry & tonka bean which was heaven and matched perfectly with another great selection from Kelvin who chose a fabulous Domaine Flumicicoli Muscareddu a rare sweet wine from Corsica that had aromas of allspice & strawberry with flavours of cherry & orange

peel.

We finished with coffee and petit fours to bring to an end a fabulous lunch. The food here is stunning and matched with excellent service and great wine pairings. I would highly recommend a visit and personally can't wait to return myself again soon. Thank You to head chef Cleverson and his team for the amazing food. Also thanks to George , Kelvin and the team their friendly and professional service. There really is a nice relaxed feeling to this restaurant so book yourself a table soon.

 

Thank You to you all for a fantastic dining experience and look forward to seeing you all again soon.

 

#SupportHospitality

Graham N

26 July 2019  
Great food and service. Tasting menu good value.

Sarah P

26 July 2019  
Absolutely delicious food packed full of flavour.

Amanda F

29 June 2019  
Downstairs bar a fab way to start the evening. Cosy airy restaurant, great watching chefs cook! Then serve there course. Love tasting menu and chicken butter. Special night out.

Sian D

28 June 2019  
Wow absolutely stunning and the tasting menu is divine.
Book a table

Find a table
Delivery or takeaway

Order takeaway from Frog by Adam Handling by calling 020 7199 8370.
SquareMeal Vouchers

You can spend your SquareMeal voucher here

Other restaurants we like near Frog by Adam Handling

Check availability