
A meal at Rules, Covent Garden

When we started walking towards Maiden Lane, I knew he had booked London’s oldest restaurant, Rules. I had never been there in my 19 years in the city but I knew of it, and I remember when I used to work next door to it, on a minimum wage salary and would not have been able to afford even a glass of water there. Times are thankfully changed a bit since.
The dining room downstairs is equally beautiful – it feels almost like you are in a very rich someone’s living room. Recent TV hit Mr Selfridge come to mind. Opulent and slightly baroque and grotesque décor, hunting trophies and Virgin Marys, period painting and old quirky things such as a telephone by our table, it surely is a feast to the eyes without being too cluttered.
“Rules was established by Thomas Rule in 1798 making it the oldest restaurant in London. It serves traditional British food, specialising in classic game cookery, oysters, pies and puddings.” (Rules website).
The service was maybe a little lax – we had to wait a bit for our orders to be taken and the waiter brought the wrong bottle of wine, yet it did not really matter. The food was very good and of high standards which I guess have ensured that Rules is still popular (at least with Americans judging by our loud next table neighbours).
My main of Roast saddle of rabbit was tender and light, paired nicely with a cold pea puree and celeriac.@bmcboy went for a classic (Steak and Kidney pie) and was in heaven!
We shared a dessert and we could not quite decide, so many are on the menu. We opted for a Millefeuille of vanilla and cherries and it was divine, crunchy but light and just pure fruity heaven on the palate.
We chose a Soave San Michele, pricy at £33 but enjoyable nonetheless.
Considering @bmcboy paid £150 for such a meal, I am not sure why it has taken us so long to try Rules. Here’s to another 200 years of cooking for the hungry Londoners!
Rules
http://www.rules.co.uk/
Sustainable? They answered my query on fish provenance promptly and with a precise answer (sea bass was wild caught in Cornwall). Not the most sustainable choice but at least is of British, day boat provenance.
2 thoughts on “A meal at Rules, Covent Garden”
I had Birthday drinks (not mine!) at Rules bar upstairs, back in July what a fantastic experience! Looking forward to trying the restaurant next!
it is fantastic, isnt it! 🙂
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