Covered and heated - the main restaurant area at Outcrop
What do we need to know about Outcrop?
This is the pop-up restaurant du jour in London, consisting of the AngloThai duo John and Desiree Chantarasak along with Johnny Smith and Daniel Willis from Luca/Clove Club and some of the Secret Cinema team. So, a strong team of talent has assembled there. They've taken over the outside terrace at Soho House's 180 Strand for the summer (and potentially longer).
Where is it?
Good question, as this development is a bit of a restaurant warren with entrances for Ikoyi and Toklas too. Head off the Strand down Surrey Street and it's the first set of steps on your left. That leads you up past the open kitchen and bar into the restaurant proper. It's alfresco, but sheltered and covered, so pretty much weatherproofed. The nearest tube is Temple but Holborn and Charing Cross are pretty handy for this too.
Where should we meet for a drink first?
There's a decent-sized bar at nearby Toklas, but actually we'd head to the bar here which has plenty of room. There's an extensive cocktail list which you'll probably want to have a go at. That's down to the involvement of bar manager Rob Simpson (Clove Club, Gymkhana) who has put together a fully British list with sustainable hits including an aperitivo made from discarded oyster shells and a negroni infused with leftover tomatoes from the kitchen.
We went for the Cropped Martini (£12) - a winning combo of 58 & Co London dry gin with a Vault oyster and Champagne vermouth.
So what's on the menu?
If you've had the pleasure of trying AngloThai's food before, you'll know that chef John is all about Thai cooking techniques used on seasonal British produce. The menu's construction is according to modern London dining principles - starting with snacks and moving onto plates of increasing size with three key mains that serve between two and four people.
Here's what we had from the snacks had to give you a flavour:
Maldon oysters with sea buckthorn and fermented chilli (£4.50 each)
Zephyr squash tempura with yellow soybean and sugarcane vinegar (£7.50) - previous iterations of the menu had featured a violet artichoke tempura, so we guess this dish features whatever's freshest and best.
Wildfarmed flatbread with shrimp paste butter and Brixham crab (£11.50) - seriously funky and delicious.
Small plates at Outcrop range in price from £9.50 - £16 and there's plenty to choose from whether you're going for meat or plant-based options.
Monkfish crudo with fish sauce caramel and calamansi (£16)
King oyster mushroom with black soy marinade and smoked tomato relish (£13) - one of those veggie dishes to convert carnivores, this was all smoke and texture.
Summer vegetable som tam salad with tamarind and black bee honey (£9.50)
Now we're hitting the main section of the menu.
Vine leaf wrapped hake with sour orange curry and young grapes (£26) - just look how beautifully cooked that hake is.
Blythburgh pork chop with grilled radishes and a pork fat and smoked fish chilli paste (£26) - definitely plenty for two to share, this is a great example of the best British produce given AngloThai's signature treatment.
Room for dessert?
There are two desserts on offer and let's face it, you're going to want to try both aren't you?
Fig leaf sorbet with coconut ash cracker (£7.50) - a total looker of a dessert and a nice way to cleanse your palate before you hit the next dessert...
Thai tea burnt cream with summer berries (£10.50) - a gently Thai-accented creme brulee.
What about the wine list?
That's been built by the capable hands of the other half of AngloThai - Desiree Chantasarak. For Outcrop she's put together a range of low-intervention European wines. And, as they're all sourced from two wine companies that supply it in kegs, the wine's all served by the glass or carafe, eliminating the waste caused by glass bottles.
Overall thoughts:
On the first warm evening out after what felt like an entire summer of rain, this verdant and sheltered terrace in the heart of London felt like quite the oasis. John's cooking has always been great but this is probably his largest menu to date so it's been a real chance to fully flex his cooking abilities. We're already hearing rumbles that the original three-month pop-up might be extended. If you go, don't forget to look out for the amazing art installation inside 180 when you go to the loo. It's by Marshmallow Laser Feast and it's totally mesmerising.
More about Outcrop
Where is it? 180 Strand, Temple, London WC2R 1EA
Find out more: Visit their website or follow them on Instagram @outcrop.social.
Hot Dinners dined as guests of Outcrop. Prices are correct at the time of publication.
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