When working in Borough Market, I used to pop to the Table Cafe for some restpite from the hectic market hustle. I’d sit on one of its’ long wooden tables amongst the twinkly fairy lights, order a portion of sourdough toast and relax. Now that it’s open for dinner five days a week, I’ve got to love it as a Southbank alternative dinner destination.
The cafe specialises in modern Italian dishes put together from top quality British produce so each dish is not too fussy and all about the ingredients. It won me straight over with it’s (free) roasted tomato foccacia straight from the oven that was served with olive oil and a generous pot of rock salt. It was deliciously light and so moorish.
Whilst gobbling up the bread and sipping on some red wine, my friend and I debated whether to have a selection of small plates such as ‘N’juda toast, burnt tomato’ or ‘Pan-fried duck livers, wilted radiccio, balsamic’ which range from £5.50-£8 or to go straight in for mains. I couldn’t take my eyes off the Oxtail Risotto so decided to jump in for the large plates.
The Oxtail Risotto was as good as it sounded. Deep, rich and with plenty of fall apart at the slightest touch meat that went beautifully with the creamy soft risotto that I think must have been made extra creamy with creme fraiche or god forbid (not really) full fat cream. I tried too offset the naughtiness with a side of spinach and when it turned up all buttery, lemony and salty I finally gave up on trying to be good and ate the lot.
My friend had slow cooked lamb shoulder that came with chickpeas flavoured with cumin, caraway and rocket served with a zingy minted yoghurt. The dish was very tasty and a much lighter alternative to the risotto but not quite as memorable.
The bill came to just under £50 for the two mains, two glasses of wine, service and a couple of portions of that freshly baked focaccia. Not cheap but a quality treat in lovely surroundings. I’m looking forward to trying one of their brunches which have had some great reviews.
The oxtail risotto looks truly delicious! I wish I had visited The Table when I still worked at London Bridge, looks like I’ve missed out big time.
One of my favourite brunch places and absolutely love the pancake with bacon and banana. Never really been there for dinner so maybe soon. Great post.