Dine out in Covent Garden at Detroit (European Restaurants in Covent Garden in general)

Member Name: Leolover

Product:	European Restaurants in Covent Garden in general
Date:	02/06/03 (99 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Great food & Cocktails, Nice ambience

Disadvantages: Drinks are pricey

Detroit is the perfect place for Londoners to head for dinner and drinks after a long hard day at the office. Sleek, contemporary surroundings, delicious, well presented food and some of the best cocktails in London, you're sure to leave with a smile on your face.

**** AMBIENCE

Detroit is a basement bar/restaurant but unlike many other similarly situated venues it comes across as cosy and cavelike rather than dingy and claustrophobic. You enter the restaurant through a discreet doorway from street level and down a dimly lit flight of stairs; it's like entering a club rather than a restaurant. Candles sparkle welcomingly along the bar and across the tables, funky artwork adorn the walls and the drinks displays add a touch of colour. It's both lively and relaxing. The bar is cleverly designed with booths and tables where you can sit and chat to friends, or you can park yourself at the bar for a more open experience.

**** SERVICE

The bar staff and waiting staff are all very friendly and couldn't be more helpful. On my visit, the (extremely cute!) barman spent ages helping me choose my first cocktail, asking me all kinds of questions about my likes and dislikes, and was able to produce my idea of a perfect drink; a divine vanilla infused rum concoction that my tastebuds were more than happy with. The waiting staff were similarly helpful, willing to take the time to discuss the menu and recommend dishes.

**** FOOD

The menu isn't particularly long, but despite that there's something for everyone and everything I've tried has been absolutely delicious. Every time I go there, I resolve to try a different starter, but I always end up ordering my usual because it's simply perfect; saffron king prawns on a bed of wilted spinach - scrumptious beyond words. My two favourite main courses are the wild mushroom risotto (fabulous flavours but very, very rich) and the minted lamb; if pressed I
would probably rate the lamb as my ultimate favourite.

For dessert, try the white chocolate tiramisu or the cheeseboard - stacked with cheeses from Neals Yard Dairy, a couple of minutes down the road.

**** DRINKS

The cocktails are heavenly but very expensive, starting at £6.80 each. They have a good wine list, the Chilean Merlot is particularly good and reasonably priced at £12.80 a bottle.

My favourite cocktails are :

Malecon : The vanilla rum concoction; sweet and warm, I can?t recommend it highly enough

Mitch Martini : An apple martini drink; very refreshing

Twinkle : Rose petal martini topped with champagne; one is lovely but any more would
probably be a bit sickly.

**** PRICE

Drinks are expensive, cocktails ranging from £6.80 to £7.50 and there's no happy hour, unfortunately. The food is more reasonably priced. Starters and desserts are around £4 - £6 and main courses around £10 each. I was lucky enough to take advantage of a 50% off the food bill offer, which meant that a meal for two, including a bottle of wine, only came to £26! Keep an eye on www.toptable.co.uk for similar offers.

**** LOCATION

Detroit is located at 35 Earlham Street, Covent Garden, London WC2H 9LD, approximately a five minute walk from Leicester Square tube station. It opens from 6pm - 10.30pm Monday to Saturday and is closed on Bank holidays.

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