Restaurant review: Art Yard Bar and Kitchen at the Bankside Hotel: 'Innovative menu and beautiful decor'

Located just off the Southbank the restaurant is nestled away in the hotel, perfect for a moment's peace.

The Bankside is a design-led hotel which serves as a social hub for “anyone with a passion for culture, art, food and drink.”

My first impression of the hotel on arrival was of its stylish interior. Even the reception desk is set up as a co-working space on a long wooden table.

Heading through to the Art Yard Bar and Kitchen we could see where it gets its name from with its abundance of artwork and murals adorning the walls.

Get the latest headlines, straight to your inbox, with LondonWorld’s free emails

Art Yard bar and kitchen summer menu

We were invited along to try the new summer menu which “merges sustainability and creativity.”

To start with my friend and I enjoyed some creamy beetroot hummus with crudité vegetables and some drinks while we waited for our starters.

Then out came out Burrata and Heirloom Tomato and the Cornish Crab dressed with a beautifully crafted rice cracker, which we shared.

The burrata was creamy and decadent and was dressed with a dehydrated tomato crisp. The crab was fresh and salty and the rice cracker served as the perfect accompaniment.

For the main course I enjoyed the O’Shea’s Rib Eye Steak with béarnaise sauce and roasted garlic while my dining companion ordered the Pan Fried Bream Fillet.

We also shared some side dishes including french fries and tenderstem broccoli.

The steak was deliciously tender and the sides and sauce were the perfect companions.

While we would have been perfectly satisfied with a two course meal we couldn’t resist ordering dessert.

We went for the “lighter options” of the Rhubarb and Pomegranate Crème Brûlée and the Tiramisu Marc de Café, which uses repurposed coffee grounds.

The crème brûlée was delicious and creamy and was the perfect way to finish off my meal. 

The service was friendly and quick and my friend and I felt very well looked after throughout our meal.

We thoroughly enjoyed our evening at the Art Yard Bar and Kitchen with its innovative menu, relaxing ambience and beautiful decor. The only thing I was sad about was that I couldn’t stay the night! Next time!

Address: Bankside Hotel, 2 Blackfriars Road, Upper Ground, London, SE1 9JU.

We ate

Starters

Beetroot Hummus with crudité vegetables (£8)

Cornish Crab (£16)

Burrata and Heirloom Tomato  (£15)

Bream fillet (£28)

O’Shea’s Rib Eye Steak (£38)

Sides: French fries (£7) Tenderstem Broccoli (£7)

Rhubarb and Pomegranate Crème Brûlée (£10)

Tiramisu Marc De Café (£12)

Total: £141