The absolute beauty of the new Galvin HOP summer menu is that it can be enjoyed on the sun drenched terrace complete with bi-folding doors which open up the restaurant for that al-fresco feel at the height of the season.
The bistrot and bar from Michelin starred chefs Chris and Jeff Galvin makes Spital Square in Spitalfields the perfect spot to enjoy carefully sourced ingredients and beautifully fresh produce direct from Galvins’ select choice of farmers, fisherman and suppliers.
The Galvin HOP summer terrace features plenty of greenery for a tranquil step away from the chaos of nearby Liverpool Street, while the restaurant itself is beautifully decorated for a bistro style feel – relaxed, yet cool and contemporary with a stripped back feel, including exposed brick work and multi coloured seating against the backdrop of a stand out bar and open kitchen.
With a brilliant wine list, the Domaine de Triennes Rose, from Provence was the perfect choice both for the warmer weather and for the combo of white and red wine drinkers on our table. Predominantly Cinsault with a little Grenache and Syrah, this crisp, dry and extremely quaffable bottle led to one or two more!
The summer menu at Galvin HOP offers a range of lighter dishes, along with their best selling classics, and their starter menu really offers something for everyone. We shared lush green patron pepper sprinkled with chilli salt (£4) followed by a rich, silky luscious lump of burrata (£8) served with fresh Heritage tomatoes and a dash of basil, along with the mouthwatering steak tartare – the raw meat expertly seasoned with plenty of worcestershire sauce, topped with a text book Burford Brown egg yolk and freshly baked sour dough bread – perfect for dipping.
Mains include a hearty beef short rib £20, (perfect for any time of year), which I devoured in a heartbeat – slow cooked for that soft, tender, fall-apart-as-the-fork-touches-it greatness. The creamiest and most indulgent of polenta came topped with the sauciest of summer staples – a gorgeous bright green salsa verde with just the right balance of garlic, basil, mint and anchovies with a light sweetness.
Satisfied with my choice, food envy still ensued when my friend’s dish arrived – the suckling pig belly (£20) juicy and saliva-inducing with smoked mash, giant shallots and a luxurious PX jus reduction. crackling….
To accompany bottle two of our now favourite Domaine de Triennes Rose, we decided to go for a lighter dessert – agreeing to share the panna cotta (£9) which came with tangy fresh raspberries perfectly pepping up our very pleasant Italian favourite along with a hit of grappa flavour.
By the end of our long, enjoyable dinner (with exemplary service from the staff as always), it was more our wine coats and the sheer amount of delicious food we’d consumed keeping us warm than the long gone London sunshine, yet even in the dark, the Galvin HOP terrace is still the perfect place for an evening dinner.
Click here to book. A set menu is also available with two courses priced at £19.50 and three courses £24.50 served at lunch 12-2.30 and dinner 6-7pm. Read Luxe Bible’s review of Galvin HOP’s Sunday Lunch, here.
