Are peoples holiday snaps of long, lazy lunches giving you FOMO?
It’s that time of year when I get the itch to be in dappled sunlight, dining al fresco with a crisp glass of Sauvignon Blanc and a menu of dreams with no need to watch the time.
As soon as I walked into In Horto I got a good feeling. There is something very deliberate and committed about the theme and vibe of this restaurant. In Horto literally translates to “in the garden” and the team from TVR Hospitality have brought together an al fresco, rustic experience that is just dreamy.
But what if it rains, we are in London, it’s not actually Ibiza. Don’t panic, there’s a covered roof, shutters arriving next week and heaters just in case. What the bamboo ceiling does do is create the perfect light which plays with the warm terracotta and wood fired oven to create that holiday dining ambience.
Now the food, wow, let me tell you it is absolutely divine. There is something about wood fire cooking that cuts differently. The Baked Tunworth with honey, truffle, confit garlic and thyme bubbled in the hot skillet at the table for ages, the flavours were exploding. I had no intention of finishing it and we just couldn’t hold back.
The lightness of the crab with baby gem lettuce which was seasoned exceptionally well went perfectly, we were off to a great start. Then the mains arrived and that lamb will now live in my head rent free for months.
The Braised Lamb with Harissa Vegetables is a must order dish. The waitress exclaimed that people come back for this dish and I completely understand why. The veg were just as sensational as the lamb, so well balanced in taste and texture it was fantastic. Most of the main dishes come in two sizes so it is a perfect sharing menu but it doesn’t have to be.
There are long tables which would be ideal for group dinners and it’s a big enough space to be comfortable, and there are bars in the Southward Quarter which it makes it easy to carry on in if the spirit took you.
The service here was lovely, what I really enjoyed was the sense that the staff took pride in the place and enjoyed working with each other. A thoroughly enjoyable lunch. I highly recommend.
For more information and to make your reservation visit www.inhorto.co.uk
Review and Images by Emmie Blower @emmiebhungry
Feature Image courtesy of In Horto
