Summer is on the approach and we’re all dreaming about al fresco dining. While British spring remains somewhat unreliable, Dalloway Terrace is the perfect spot for a dinner date.  It’s a new covered alfresco terrace at The Bloomsbury, complete with greenery, heaters and string lights. It’s an indoor-outdoor all-day dining destination, which is no doubt sure to become a hidden city gem; it’s so tucked away and discrete — like a little secret garden. The decor is gorgeous, think striped retractable roof, garden chairs, marble tables, and blankets.

Start your evening with a Miss Dalloway cocktail — a wonderful champagne, Cointreau and bitters concoction, that feels that bit more special than a regular glass of bubbles.

The menu here is broad with plentiful flavours to suit different palettes and diets; there’s definitely something for everyone. The seared tuna I chose to start was simple, fresh, and delicious, with fresh baby basil. My partner chose tandoori tiger prawns, a special on the menu, which were equally spectacular, cooked on the barbecue, and tasted like, well, summer.

Plenty more delicious options feature for mains: there’s Meantime battered sea bass and chips, coq au vin, and veal pie with celeriac mash. The 6oz fillet steak was served with vine tomatoes and a small pan of blue cheese sauce. The juicy, hand-dived scallops seemed a very generous portion, served with chanterelles and a sweet teriyaki dressing. Sides include onion rings, mashed potatoes, hand-cut chips, and for the healthier among us, kale and tahini-roasted cauliflower too.

It would be wrong not to round things off with dessert! We shared the vanilla panna cotta with poached rhubarb, and loved it. I’ll bet the cheese board is damn good here too…

Come summer time, with the retractable roof back, dining at Dalloway Terrace will be even more glorious — the perfect spot for a leisurely dinner while the evenings stay light.