The Perkin Reveller Restaurant – The Narrative..© Mark Cocksedge
The Perkin Reveller is nestled at the foot of East Gate, under the north side of Tower Bridge and is no mean feat to find. Named after a fun loving chef in the Canterbury Tales, the restaurant is ambiguous at first glimpse; a grey, glass, box-like building that you would be forgiven for dismissing and walking on by. However, once inside it becomes glaringly obvious that the restaurant stands out like a sore thumb amongst the tourist trap of chain food eateries making up the south side of tower bridge.
The interior is a combination of British banqueting served with a Scandi-minimalistic twist. The centre of the restaurant is home to longer tables for large numbers of ‘revellers’, leaving the outside of the restaurant reserved for the tables of two and four to really benefit from the view – and what a view it is. By night it was impressive, with the illuminating lights of Tower Bridge dominating but by day they would be spectacular; with the floor to ceiling glass walls really coming into their own. The piece de resistance is the outdoor terrace. The perfect spot (I’m assured by the staff) for a bottle of wine at sundown. I’ll have to take their word for it; it’s howling with wind and rain out there today.
With Head Chef William Pinfold delivering unpretentious, yet beautifully executed British-inspired dishes and on recommendation of the friendly Restaurant Manager, I kicked off with the pear and feta salad. It was perfectly seasoned and the sweetness of the pear set off the subtle yet sharp tang of the dressing. Main was the slow braised beef, bashed neeps and smoked bacon, which came nestled in a bed of rich gravy and melted in my mouth. I finished up with the rhubarb crumble. The rhubarb was sharp and a nice contrast to the sweet, vanilla flecked custard but the crumble was a little on the gravelly side. This was however the only gripe in an otherwise faultless meal.
The perfect spot at any time of day; whether it be for a glass of wine on the terrace, a cosy three course dinner or a spot of post sightseeing afternoon tea, The Perkin Reveller is a hidden treasure. Tucked away from sight and a little tricky to find but once you’re settled in after a bracing walk along the river, you’ll be glad you made the effort.
www.perkinreveller.co.uk