The Trading House
Last week I ventured to the The Trading House in the city, a grand old Victorian building that was formerly a bank. Celebrating the days of the India Trading Company there's a colonial theme, including mounted animal heads on walls (fake obvs... I hope), huge leafy plants, and a white stuffed peacock on the bar (above). Although The Trading House is just one huge room, the dining tables are at one end, separated by a screen and a live pianist belting out Elton John tunes. Apologies for the photos, but it is very dimly lit inside. This goes well with the classy colonial club vibe, but not so great for food photography.
Can I just start by explaining what the hell I was drinking (above). When I saw the cocktail menu I was excited by the huge array of mojitos they offered, and saw one of them was called the Mega Mojito. I was intrigued as to why this one was more special, didn't notice it cost slightly more, and didn't even think to ask the waiter about it (who didn't bat an eyelid when I ordered it... what does he think I am!). It turns out it's not mega in flavour or ingredients (though of course it tasted delicious), it was mega in size. This is how it looks compared to my friend's martini, which is in a standard sized glass. We laughed for abut five hours at how classy I looked reviewing a restaurant with my fish bowl. And no, I didn't finish it. I was starting to feel like Bruce in Matilda where he has to get through the chocolate cake. Note to self, ask more questions to waiters about the names of things before you order.
For starters we shared the baked camembert, which was so good with both warm bread and juicy apples. It was served with rosemary and garlic, both giving it an amazing kick. My friend also couldn't resist trying the scotch egg, which I've heard is something you have to try at The Trading House. Obviously as a vegetarian I didn't feel the peer pressure to do this, but my friend said it was the best one she'd ever had, and apparently it goes really well with the piccalilli sauce 'smile' it's served with. For mains we both went with a pie, I had the cauliflower cheese pie with mash and mushy peas (below), which was incredibly tasty, but a little over-done on top for my taste. My friend had the chicken and chorizo pie with chips, which she declared to be amazing.
After a much needed food break, we had our final course with coffee for my friend, mint tea for myself (below). This was to sober us up more than anything, but we didn't expect it to arrive in such pretty china - it was like having a fancy afternoon tea straight after dinner. I tried the chocolate fudge cake which is moist and gooey in texture, but not so chocolatey in flavour. My friend had a rum baba (a doughnut soaked in rum and served with cream), just in case there hadn't been enough rum at this meal.
I highly recommend you try the The Trading House, even if it's just for one of their exquisite cocktails - it has so much character! The food is definitely pub food, but fancier, and the service is incredible - everyone is so friendly and attentive. There's a huge menu with a lot of choice, whether you just want to nibble, have a comfort dish, or have something from the barbecue, and vegetarians are well catered for. A beautiful, dark and seductive bar with a big heart.
Our meal was complimentary in return for this review.