Grind has a new addition to the family – Clerkenwell. The eighth location opened on the tail end of last year and is already proving to be a popular hangout. Following openings in Soho, Shoreditch, Holborn, London Bridge, Covent Garden, Royal Exchange and Exmouth Market, Clerkenwell Grind is located in an old warehouse on Old Street – a stone’s throw from Barbican and Old Street stations.
The newest all day and late night restaurant / bar is the biggest, spread across two floors. Famous for their coffees and cocktails (their Espresso Martini is the stuff of legends) the top floor is the dining area, serving dishes to diners sat in slick velvet pink booths. There was a nice buzz about the place, which set the ambience right. Downstairs, meanwhile, is open until 2am, allowing people to shake what their mama’s gave ’em. A shout out’s got to go to the staff here too, who are really friendly and engaging.
Pun lovers will delight with the names on the cocktail menu – Appley Married and Bananaruma, eh? eh? Among those sampled on my visit was the citrusy Penicillin and the Old Street Fashioned, which packs a helluva punch.
To start, we had the Salt Cod Croquettes and the Burrata, amusing in the contrast in portion sizes; the Burrata and Roasted Peppers here is the biggest Burrata starter I’ve ever seen! But it was fresh and offered a taste of the Mediterranean so there can be no complaints.
Onto the mains, the mouthwatering Bavette Steak. Two were ordered for the table – one medium, one rare – and both were cooked to perfection. Packed with flavour in every mouthful, carnivores definitely won’t be disappointed.
If there’s space for dessert, try the lemon cheesecake – it’s fantastic. Or if you are one of those pun lovers we talked about, go for the Sticky Coffee Pudding to get your kicks.
For more information, visit grind.co.uk/clerkenwellgrind