Allegra
Allegra, located on the seventh floor of the opulent Stratford Hotel, is almost comically opulent, with gently dimmed lighting, stone surfaces, funky plants, and smooth jazz music.
Fortunately, the food is just as good. The first tantalizing taste of what was to come was a savory choux bun snack filled with chicken liver parfait. It was creamy and rich, topped with crushed pistachios, with a citrusy bite of acidity from preserved kumquat. The artichoke velouté that followed was a visually appealing bowl of pure comfort: smooth, velvety, and moreish, with a pool of sharp quince to balance it all out. It also came with a sweet little fried brioche bun with shaved chestnut on top.
Mains were similarly strong. The poached Cornish brill, artfully wrapped in charred green leaves, crumbled at the touch of a fork. Meanwhile, the wild venison loin was pure decadence on a plate. The tender, pink-middled slices were smothered in meaty gravy, with pickled blackberries adding a lightness and the accompanying celeriac roasted and well seasoned. Desserts were also excellent, with a standout being the ginger cake, which was deconstructed and delightfully crumby, and topped with crunchy, caramelized pecans.
But there were a few low points as well. The cottage pie of braised venison shoulder that came with the deer-themed main course was shockingly salty. Overall, service was excellent: staff were friendly, explained all of the dishes, and even poured all of the posh sauces for guests. Allegra is a seventh-floor wonder where you have to embrace all of the glitz and glamour.
- Google Rating: 4.5/5.0
- Opening Hours: Sun 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM, Tue to Fri 6:00 PM - 10:30 PM, Sat 12:00 PM - 3:00 PM & 6:00 PM - 10:30 PM
- Phone: +44 20 3973 0545
- Website: https://www.allegra-restaurant.com/
- Address: The Stratford, 20 International Way, London E20 1FD
