The Drift brands itself as “an island of calm in the heart of the city”… I’m not sure if I would entirely describe it like that, but it is certainly a relaxing place to enjoy a lazy Sunday lunch.
The restaurant is located on the first floor of a slick glass corporate building, not exactly the type of place you would expect to find an eatery. It is a very spacious modern venue and was nearly empty when we visited making the restaurant seem rather ghostly and daunting. Feeling a little worse for wear after a big dancing evening the night before I slumped down and directed my attention towards the impending feast.
In my opinion the menu at The Drift has far too much choice… it is impossible to choose when so many different cuisines are represented and I always believe restaurants should concentrate their efforts on the dishes they do best. The Drift offers contemporary modern food – British, Oriental and American influences are all evident.
Starters can be picked from tapas-like small plates or Mediterranean-style sharing boards. There is a great deal of fish, perhaps to match the seaside theme suggested by the huge fish tank and shell decoration. I chose the chicken satay skewers and my friend had the roast butternut squash and goat’s cheese salad. Both were listed in the skinny, low calorie section. The rustic countryside salad was a small but well flavoured first course. My chicken was very mild and lacking any marinade or spice which seemed strange for satay, the meat was lightly grilled and wonderfully tender. The peanut sauce, my favourite dipping accompaniment was sweet and satisfying though it would taste better hot than cold.
In need of a hearty feed (especially after the skinny starter!) I chose the fillet steak, a premium cut I don’t usually go for. It was fleshy and full of flavour though perhaps a little undercooked considering my ‘medium to well’ request. It arrived with an array of condiments and juicy mushrooms, grilled tomatoes and sprouting watercress. The peppercorn sauce was rich and creamy, whole green peppercorns giving it a lovely spiciness. Chips were fat but soft and tasted delicious once sprinkled with black pepper and sea salt. My friend, making me feel like a greedy fat pig, ordered the very lean feta and watermelon salad, fresh and summery and a mix of gorgeous colours. Dressed with a unique citrusy dressing and accompanied by tomatoes and cucumber, it was incredibly refreshing.
Dessert was a cute trio of miniatures to share… ideal if you crave a sugary mouthful at the end of a meal. We disagreed on our favourites… I loved the devilish salted caramel knickerbocker glory though will admit that my vivid childhood obsession perhaps influenced my enthusiasm! The crème brulee was a little undercooked and liquidy and burnt on top however the flavour was delicious and the preferred choice for my guest. Last but not least, soft warm chocolaty brownie pieces were served with melting vanilla bean ice-cream. The puddings were all super sweet but with good flavour… I appreciated the thoughtful twists on these classic desserts.
Tucked well away, Liverpool Street seems unaware of the Drift, which is a shame as it would make a lovely place to meet for a working lunch or a relaxed evening get-together.
Visit The Drift website here for more information.