Review: The Holborn Dining Room at Christmas
Style Points: 5/5
Price: ££
Overall: 4/5
Diners cannot ask for a more festive location for a Christmas meal than the Holborn Dining Room. Located in the beautiful five-star Rosewood Hotel the entire exterior is lined with twinkling fairy lights and gleaming red decorations, along with a gorgeous large traditional Christmas tree placed in the central archway. Walking past the hotel the dining room looks cosy and elegant and I couldn’t wait to get inside!
The restaurant itself is a beautiful slick space composed of plush red leather upholstery, polished marble floors, reclaimed oak, antique mirrors and two patina copper-topped bars. Topped off with chandeliers spanning the room making this dining space look simply stunning. Although the restaurant is a large space, seating 200, the clever use of furnishings and soft lighting broken up with different seating options make it feel intimate and inviting whatever where you are seated.
Additionally, the dining room is adjoined by Holborn Delicatessen which includes a bar and a dining counter, each topped with aged copper and patina brass. This leads to the Courtyard Terrace in the hotel’s inner courtyard, making it ideal of summer visits as well as festive meals.
The Rosewood Hotel
Would I Want Seconds?
The Holborn Dining Room prides itself in serving seasonal, locally sourced British cuisine. The menu is divided into eight sections: Bar Snacks, Cold Counter, Hot Counter, Grill, English Kitchen, Sides, Sandwiches and Afters, each with a good variety of options. For example the a la carte menu for main dishes includes delicious highland partridge as well as simple fish and chips.
I tired theshrimp burger with jalapeño tartare and ordered sides of heritage carrots and champ. This burger was my first ever shrimp burger and tasted divine, especially with the well flavoured sides to go with it.
The list of puddings was also divine and included steamed plum sponge, treacle tart with clotted cream and caramel mousse cigar.
From the menu, its obvious that the Holborn Dining Room doesn't serve the most exciting dishes is central London, but the menu is instead warm and comforting, perfect for the colder season.
Could I Afford Seconds?
Thankfully the Holborn Dining Room has an early/late menu making this beautiful location accessible to all. This set menu includes two courses for £18 or three for £22 which is immensely good value for money.
Outside of the set menu standard starters from the a la carte menu would cost approximately £10 and main courses range from £16.50 for the mushroom and spelt risotto to £26.50 for the roast rib eye 'club cut' with pepper sauce and crispy onions. The prices on the a la carte menu are therefore more indicative of the central London location, making the set menu even more desirable.
Shrimp Burger
Side Dishes
Overall: 4/5
I haven’t been a fan of restaurants located in hotels, but this experience has changed my view.
Apart from the slow service, which can be forgiven due to the busy time we dined, this venue has the winning combination of delicious comfort food and enchanting surroundings, making my Christmas meal a wonderful occasion and one I would recommend to all.
Address: Holborn Dining Room, 252 High Holborn, WC1V 7EN
Website: www.holborndiningroom.com
