3 /5 Jamal Bullen: Returning to the OXO Tower Restaurant with my wife was a nostalgic experience, as it was the very first place I took her on a date nine years ago. In that sense alone, the evening already had some emotional significance and felt like a fitting way to kick-start the year.
The initial greeting, however, was fine rather than memorable. Given that I had exchanged a few emails with the restaurant ahead of our visit to explain the significance of the occasion, I was hoping for something a little warmer or more personal. It was not poor by any means, just slightly underwhelming in context.
One small moan before moving on. The selection of artisan breads was genuinely disappointing. Six half-slices of bread for £9 feels excessive, and at an establishment of this standing I would expect a far better offering. That aside, onto the positives.
I had made a detailed note at the time of booking regarding my nut allergy, and this was handled impeccably throughout the evening. It was addressed proactively at every stage, with clear reassurance that appropriate precautions had been taken. This level of care was genuinely appreciated and done very well.
We shared the pork cheeks to start, and this was my personal highlight of the evening. Beautifully cooked, rich, and perfectly balanced. In all honesty, it could comfortably stand as a main course — it was that good.
For mains, I chose the Norfolk chicken, which was very tasty and well portioned. My wife opted for the monkfish. While well cooked, it did not particularly stand out or deliver anything memorable — good, but not exceptional.
The thousand-leaf potatoes were excellent and paired very well with both mains. At £18 they are undeniably expensive for a side dish, but they are very good and I would still recommend them.
As we were observing Dry January, we stuck to water and mocktails. For what they were, the mocktails were decent. I had the “Sangria Sin” and my wife chose the “Seeds of Change” — both enjoyable enough, even if not especially distinctive.
We were looked after by Florian, who was excellent throughout. Warm, engaging, and attentive without being overbearing — a real credit to the team.
Overall, it was an enjoyable and nostalgic evening that ticked the box for a special dinner to start the year. That said, I am not entirely sure we would return. While very good in parts, it did not quite deliver the complete experience one might expect at this level.
