Cora Pearl

Covent Garden might not carry the same illicit cachet as Shepherd Market, but its streets make an apt backdrop for this follow-up to Kitty Fisher’s. Like Kitty’s, Cora Pearl is named after one of history’s good-time-girls, although the roles are reversed here: while Kitty’s has a bar above and a dining room below, here the bar is hidden away in the basement while the high-ceilinged restaurant is illuminated at both ends by big windows. Raffish without being scruffy and as suitable for romance as bromance, it’s the sort of room that is cosy in winter and sun-drenched in summer. Above all, it promises “imagination, fun, variety… and a tremendous vibe”.

The menu might not have a must-order showstopper like the Galician beef that made Kitty Fisher’s the talk of the town, but there are several contenders. The cow’s curd agnolotti with Jerusalem artichokes are “just brilliant”, while shrimp Ranhöfer (basically prawn cocktail on toast) and elegant-looking, naughty-tasting cheese and ham toasties are high-class canapés, begging you to lick your fingers.

To follow, ‘pork with onions’ arrives as floppy slices of presa iberica draped with spring onions atop a deeply-flavoured onion purée, while veal fillet comes with an even better celeriac purée and a jug of bordelaise sauce bobbing with bone marrow. Save this for dunking best-in-class chips made with layers of pressed potato: surely the most labour-intensive fries in London.

Cora Pearl is the sort of place where pre-theatre diners might consider missing the curtain-up for a creamy bowl of ‘milk and cookies’ and where tourists won’t believe their luck at having chanced upon that rarest of all pearls: somewhere in Covent Garden where both Londoners and anyone from out of town will feel right at home.

From the same team as Mayfair’s award-winning Kitty Fishers, Cora Pearl is delivering top-class British comfort food to the Covent Garden masses. Pre-theatre diners, tourists and Londoners alike will all find something to satisfy at this cozy spot tucked away amidst the madness of the West End. Named in honour of the famed 19th Century courtesan who once called Covent Garden home, the restaurant is located within a historic townhouse that lends itself perfectly to a homely, cozy feeling.

To begin, order the cods roe crumpets and honey mustard padron peppers to share amongst your table. The starters are a combination of classic, bistro-style dishes, like their delicious steak tartare, as well as some more creative flavour combinations, such as the Cornish scallop which is served with baby turnip and elderflower. Fussy eaters will find great comfort in seeing a ham and cheese toastie on the menu, though be warned that every other cheese and ham toastie will pale in comparison after.

For mains, opt for the Cornish skate wing with sauce grenobloise, or try out the halibut, served with green tomato, broad beans and tarragon. For vegetarians, the chargrilled aubergine and mint labneh is an excellent option that will have meat-eaters staring with envy. Unless, of course, they have ordered the grass-fed ribeye of beef. This sharing plate pairs succulent beef with a peppercorn sauce, mixed leaf salad and a portion of their famous chips. No matter what you order, a side of chips should be on your table, we promise you will not regret it.

Desserts are equally delightful, with decadent options like a dark chocolate brownie with salted caramel, hazelnuts and ice cream on offer, as well as the fresh and light choice of strawberry and mint panna cotta.

Considering its prime location, just minutes away from the theatres of the West End, Cora Pearl is an excellent choice for pre-theatre dining. Their set menu is affordable and delicious, with the choice between burrata or whitebait to begin, followed by either a grilled courgette dish, or a chargrilled mackerel with pickled shallots and potato.