Looking into the dining room at Lyle's with the open kitchen at the back.
Why are we thinking about Lyle's again?
This restaurant by James Lowe in Shoreditch has always been one of those foodie must-try places. With a Michelin star under its belt and regular appearances up and down both in the Top 50 and the 51-100 section of the World's 50 Best Restaurants, Lyle's is celebrating its 10th birthday this year. We hadn't been in a while, so it felt like the perfect time to revisit.
Where is it exactly?
Lyle's forms part of The Tea Building in Shoreditch (which also houses Pizza East and Soho House). It's right opposite Shoreditch High Street station.
Where's a good place to meet for a drink first?
Seed Library just a little way up Shoreditch High Street and is always a good place for a well-made cocktail. If it's wine you're after then it's not that far to one of our favourite spots, Passione Vino. However, there is also a bar space at Lyle's and, judging by the two cocktails we had, you might just as well start here.
Left to right: Pea Shoot Margarita with Tequila Blanco and Pea Shoot Agave (£13) and the Heritage Tomato Martini made with Iberiko Tomato Vodka, Dry Vermouth, Tomato Vine Tincture (£12). The prices of both of these are worth noting, they're very good value for a thoughtfully made cocktail in this part of town.
What's on the menu?
They say it reflects an "uncompromising approach to seasonality". So it changes daily. Our visit at the tail end of summer showcased what was in season at that time, but it'll be quite different when you go. As we write this, just four days after visiting, it's already changed significantly.
It's an a la carte affair at lunchtime, switching up to a tasting menu only at dinner which was £119 for a six-course menu (the cheese course is extra) or £99 if you're going for the vegetarian option. Here's what we had for dinner to give you an idea of what to expect.
Carlingford Rock Oyster with a rosette apple dressing
Summer Vegetables with Smoked Cod's Roe - a simply described dish that actually included pickled carrots and the most amazing courgettes confited in olive oil
Cucumber gazpacho with honeymoon melon and marigold - a perfect dish for a sultry summer night
Monkfish with Heritage Tomatoes and fennel blossom
Hereford forerib with two types of turnip - Japanese kabu from a farm in East Sussex and Purple Milan, from a farm in Cornwall
Not pictured is the cheese course of Durrus and - a real revelation to us - Yr Afr from Wales. These came with the best homemade cheese biscuits.
Room for dessert?
Everything we'd had so far was a perfect portion size meaning we were very happy to have room for both of the following:
Cherry plums with kernel ice cream and almond cake
Petit fours - plum jellies and the brown butter cakes we've been missing since the demise of Flor.
What about the drinks list?
In addition to those clever cocktails earlier, we always like seeing a wine list that has plenty on offer by the glass and carafe as well as bottle. Our carafe of organic skin contact Gruner (£44) from the Schoedl family vineyard in Austria was very drinkable.
Anything else we should know?
There are rumours that they might be offering an a la carte option in the evenings at some point in the future, so keep an eye peeled on their socials for more news on that.
Overall thoughts:
Packed on a Tuesday night, Lyle's is clearly doing very well for a restaurant celebrating its 10th birthday. The regularly changing menu also means that fans can pop in on a weekly basis, should they want, and know that they won't be having the same dish twice.
We have to also make a note of how great the service was. When our dining companion casually mentioned in conversation that they'd love the recipe for the cheese biscuits, our waitress swung by the table 10 minutes later with it printed on a card. Personal, thoughtful and friendly - just lovely! Here's to the next ten years.
More about Lyle's
Where is it? Tea Building, 56 Shoreditch High St, London E1 6JJ
How to book: Book online
Find out more: Visit their website or follow them on Instagram @lyleslondon
Hot Dinners dined as guests of Lyle's. Prices correct at time of publication.
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