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Darwin Brasserie (at The Skygarden)

15th August 2016 by Richard Bagnold Leave a Comment

Brasserie located at the top of the 'Walky Talkie' (20 Fenchurch St) Building with stunning views but avergage breakfast experience

This was an original and pleasant way to start the day no question, and after an airport-style security check (which I happen to be in favour of), the first impression was a somewhat touristy, airport concourse on exiting the elevator at the 36th floor.  However, this entrance was also complete with beaming smiles from all the greeters showing the way at the top which was a very pleasant way to enter. Great views, well meaning service and passable food; I believe there are better brunches to have but none that have quite this view.

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Going up further steps (which afford wonderful all round views) you enter the modern looking brasserie with the feel of a hotel breakfast room.  The options were reasonable and for £25 you can have as much of the continental offerings with cereal as you wish and one hot dish, however as it was a long, food day, the Eggs Royale on its own with a bloody mary was fine for me.  The latter was presented interestingly and was pleasant, but sadly the muffins were a let down as were far too large and dense and generally there were no ‘hit me’ factors all round.  The hollondaise was clearly freshly made but the  lemon was far too dominant and generally the dish was a little unamigantive (not even a touch of paprika on the top to make a little more visual and less plain).  The wild mushroom on toast was very good though.

This is a unique and lovely place to have an original meet up, but the aspects that I didn’t think make it worthy of the celebrations that were taking place on my visit were the somewhat cold, quick and expressionless service and the fact that it generally felt like an airport terminal.  The reality was in contrast to the more special image I was expecting for an enterprise of this nature.  Definitely worth a coffee to do and would be ideal for a date context, but you also need to prepare yourself for a long queue to get through security as this was the case as we departed – early day visits are therefore recommended to avoid obsene queues.  If I hear anything notable about the restaurant, then this will make me go back for one last pass to see what that is like as is hopefully the greater option, but otherwise it was a pleasant tick to gain.

Food Grade: 51%

Looking up to 20 Fenchurch St building
Inside the opening skygarden level
Brasserie Darwin
View from Darwin Brasserie window table
Wild mushroom and egg on toast
Eggs Royale
View complete with bloody mary’s
The bill for 2
Main skygarden area

Location

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  • Food Rating - 51%
    51

Summary

Unique and outstsanding views.
Communal spot for meet ups.

Average quality of breakfast / brunch.
Aloof service.

Restaurant Details

Michelin Stars: N/A

Cuisine: Brasserie

Address: Sky Garden, 20 Fenchurch St, London EC3M 3BY, United Kingdom

Website: Darwin Brasserie (at The Skygarden)

Telephone: +44 333 772 0020

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About Me

meMy hobby-turned-passion began to evolve during my assignments to London where I was fortunate enough to be able to explore all the Michelin starred restaurants in my spare time and as a result, I gradually built up a catalogue of all these venues.

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