Perched on the tenth flooring of Marconi Home, the place the BBC’s first broadcast was made in 1922, the Asian-inspired Radio rooftop restaurant honours its legacy in identify, if not in theme. Right this moment, the constructing is the fashionable ME London resort, positioned on the southern fringe of London’s bustling theatre district.
As we stepped out of the elevate at Radio, we discovered ourselves in a brilliant, heat restaurant with giant home windows which stretched round from the terrace. It was a whole distinction to the noisy streets, and felt like we’d escaped town.
What was shocking was that, regardless of the wealthy broadcasting-led historical past of the constructing, a short nod to it within the menu’s introduction, and even the restaurant’s identify, there isn’t any trace of that legacy anyplace to be discovered. The identify Radio is emblazoned on a wood bar at one finish of the restaurant, however that’s the place the theme ends, which looks like a possibility missed.
Regardless of the less-than-favourable winter climate, we took benefit of the views and opted for a desk on the lined balcony terrace overlooking the grand Somerset Home and the River Thames, with the South Financial institution seen by way of the chilly and damp December gloom.
Fortunately, heaters alongside the size of the terrace wrapped us in a comforting heat, making it a pleasure to linger and benefit from the view. It’s simple to think about how the area would remodel on a balmy summer season night with a golden sundown over the Thames.
Our first view of the menu
didn’t disappoint both, with delicious-sounding Asian-inspired dishes from maki rolls to duck bao and roasted king scallops. Our server tell us that dishes at Radio rooftop restaurant aren’t served in programs however are dropped at the desk as soon as they’re prepared, encouraging a extra relaxed, sharing-style method. We selected a variety we might fortunately munch in no matter order they arrived.
We began with an incredible pile of steamed edamame beans with smoked sea salt, which had been cooked to perfection. They had been contemporary and tender, creating a wonderful distinction to the smoky salt.
The subsequent dish to reach was the yaki gyozas — pork dumplings — with a dipping sauce. Our solely disappointment right here was that there have been solely 5 of them. They had been scrumptious, and we might fortunately have eaten many, many extra servings.
Hen yakitori with sesame and teriyaki sauce, and a spinach, pink grapefruit and avocado salad with maple soy dressing adopted scorching on the heels of the dumplings. The salad was contemporary and well-presented however was slightly uninspiring, with solely the sharp sweetness of the grapefruit including a lot depth. The rooster was pleasant and flavoursome, with the moist meat working superbly with the candy, but savoury, sauce.
Our ultimate three dishes from the savoury menu had been asparagus tempura with yuzu shichimi hollandaise, a Japanese rice bowl with egg yolk, pickled ginger and furikake, and what was to be my eating companion’s favorite dish, wafu crispy duck bao with cucumber and spring onion.
Every of those dishes had one thing to commend it. The rice bowl was wonderful, and the egg yolk added a creamy richness, which we loved. The asparagus was crisp but tender, with a lightweight batter which didn’t overwhelm the pure flavour. The dish had a fantastic trace of citrus, including an extra tang of freshness. The crispy duck bao was one thing to behold, with well-balanced flavours, tender meat and pillow-light bao — a triumph that shouldn’t be missed.
With all our decisions from the primary menu devoured, we turned to the cocktail menu for slightly liquid refreshment earlier than deciding whether or not there was room for dessert.
Removed from predictable cocktail staples, Radio’s checklist is crammed with exotic-sounding, Asian-inspired flavours, with twists on classics just like the spicy watermelon margarita and extra uncommon choices akin to Far East Facet, which mixes sake, tequila and elderflower. We selected Bee’s Knees, which marries gin, La Yuzu liquor and honey with pineapple miso, lemon and yuzu bitters, and Kung Fu Pandan, which is mezcal, coconut tequila and pandan (a tropical plant), with coconut, pineapple and lime juices.
Really useful by our waitress, the Bee’s Knees was sharp and zingy with a touch of honeyed sweetness, whereas the Kung Fu Pandan was paying homage to a pina colada however was much less candy and creamy, and with extra chew.
The array of dishes had sated our urge for food, however it appeared a disgrace to forgo dessert solely, so we determined to separate one, choosing the caramelised banana spring roll topped with wealthy chocolate. It was a really nice dessert, however it couldn’t fairly match the boldness of the dishes earlier than it.
Radio rooftop restaurant: The decision
Radio rooftop restaurant has a lot to supply diners, from the fabulous views and useful employees to the wealthy and various menu. Even on a boring December day, the expertise felt particular, due to the cosy terrace seating and town skyline, with London’s most iconic landmarks throughout, stretching out under.
Whereas the Instagram-worthy views are nice, it’s the menu that really steals the highlight, the meals providing thrilling flavours, daring choices and contemporary concepts. When you’re on the lookout for a pre-theatre nibble, a venue for a meal with mates or a romantic meal for 2, Radio ought to be in your checklist — a beautiful setting and a outstanding menu with the added luxurious of Tenth-floor London metropolis views.
Samantha gave up a background in worldwide enterprise to focus on travelling and journey. As completely happy Overlanding as she is stress-free in five-star luxurious, Sam could make a memorable expertise out of any state of affairs, and often does. Married in Las Vegas, she enjoys bourbon and avoids planning.
