I love the idea of Perkin Reveller… a very British restaurant, overlooking the Thames in the vicinity of the epic Tower of London. Inspired by the great English storyteller Geoffrey Chaucer, the venue is named after the cheerful apprentice chef in the Cook’s Tale from Chaucer’s most famous work The Canterbury Tales. I studied Chaucer long and hard at school and couldn’t help but feel an affection for the great poet whilst enjoying our meal at Perkin Reveller.
The restaurant is bright, airy and very spacious with plain but attractive design. The main room can accommodate big groups but managed to feel cosy in parts too. I avoided a starter but my little sister was adamant that she would definitely be trying three courses and opted for the carrot and coriander soup. Along with the crusty bread, this warming winter soup was the perfect option for a cold winter day… very flavoursome, smooth and thick.
The mains on the menu all sounded very appealing and we had to weigh the options carefully before arriving at a final decision: Slow Cooked Lamb with fennel, artichoke, tomato and basil for me and Cotswold White Chicken cooked ‘Forest Style’ for my guest. Both dishes were finely prepared to make the most of the meat and bring a sense of excitement and surprise to the classic recipes. My lamb was juicy and complemented beautifully by the assortment of vegetables. The chicken was cooked three ways, every mouthful was different… an especially clever way to prepare this simple meat, I was very impressed. The only criticism I can find… the food arrived rather lukewarm, aside from that it was exemplary and reasonably priced.
My sister selected the Peanut Parfait with Fudge Sauce which she immediately declared the best pudding, ever. And it was delicious: a silky smooth and rich frozen nutty pudding coated in sweet indulgent sauce, a brilliantly simple but addictive combination. My lemon posset was light and citrusy, though the portion was far too big. The creamy base was topped with a vibrant orange sorbet and lime jelly which was a less successful pairing.
Usually I would be resistant to a long trip across London, but for Perkin Reveller the journey is really worth it. Soak up our city’s amazing history and enjoy a plate of deliciously comforting food at the same time.
More information here.