It’s a cold wintery evening as I battle the throngs of people in Covent Garden to visit Pivot, located at 3 Henrietta Street. The wind is cold and biting, puddles from an earlier rainstorm splash underfoot and I know only somewhere special would entice me from the confines of my apartment. Luckily, this place is just that. Nestled in a historic English townhouse, I have the feeling I’m entering a cosy home of a friend rather than a restaurant. Warm lighting from large windows and the smell of freshly baked bread teases my senses from the pavement outside and it’s with little persuasion that I enter.
What to expect at Pivot Bar and Bistro 3 Henrietta Street:
Pivot Bar and Bistro at 3 Henrietta Street is located on the ground and first floor of the building, with both offering a slightly different experience. On the ground floor it operates as a cafe and bar, where you can tuck into British. breakfast and brunch options as well as all day meals such as sandwiches and salads, or just grab a drink from their bar.
In the evening this turns into a more sophisticated bar area where you can tuck into cocktails or an array of beer and wines, snacking on small plates based on British Bistro cuisine. This floor also shares itself with restaurant with Doughnation, a fantastic pizza place which we recently visited, so be sure to check that out too!
The first floor Bistro is a stunning space that’s intimate yet not in an overwhelming way. You feel you can sit tucked in a corner and enjoy your evening without being too fussed over and can either dress up or down depending on your preference. Headed by Chef Michael Greenway, known for his imaginative cooking style and passion for best-in-class produce. Greenway has been voted #160 among the top 300 chefs in the world and this will come as no surprise once you’ve tasted his menu.
Drinks wise, There are a range of cocktails to choose between, including a Mango Honey Margarita which I can attend is utterly divine, a bottle aged negroni, Champagne Pop and more. There are also a selection of wines, beers, spirits and soft drinks.
My friend and I settle into a booth in the corner, where we can see the hustle and bustle of London’s most famous piazza below. The vibe in here couldn’t be further away, with the walls painted a warm burnt orange and details such as vases and dried flowers adding a rustic charm. Bright paintings adorn the walls and dark wooden detailing to the floor and furniture lends a sophisticated edge. This is a restaurant you could head to for a date and it would be guaranteed to impress, but you’ll also have a great time when frequenting with friends and family.
The menu at Pivot Bar and Bistro at 3 Henrietta Street is as comforting as the decor. It offers bistro inspired dishes that are exactly what you want when going out for dinner and you don’t want something too complicated, but you know will be cooked incredibly well. Starters include the likes of a burrata and heritage tomato salad, where fat, juicy tomatoes sit atop a bed of deliciously creamy burrata, sprinkled with basil and shallots. There’s a Covent Garden Market Salad, Scottish Smoked Salmon or a Creamy pea & mint soup that comes with fresh sourdough that’s deliciously crisp on the outside and light as air within.
Mains include a buttermilk chicken burger, beef & bone marrow pie, fish & chips, free range English chicken, ratatouille or fish and chips. Offering a refined take on these classic dishes, Pivot excels on flavour and presentation. I choose the English chicken which is accompanied by a mushroom and tarragon cream sauce.
The portion size is plentiful and the accompanying side of heritage new potatoes with garlic and tarragon doesn’t disappoint. My friend tucks into the cheeseburger which is deliciously juicy, and piping hot. It’s covered in melted cheese and sizzling bacon, with enough lettuce and onion to add flavour without being too much.
While we were extremely full by this point, the dessert menu is one that you’ll severely regret missing if you do so. It’s an antagonising decision between pavlova, chocolate mousse, sticky toffee pudding, an ice cream selection or an English cheese selection and I recommend sharing between you as no matter what you order you’ll get food envy. We share the sticky toffee pudding and the chocolate mousse and it’s not difficult to push past the full feeling we have to polish them off in no time at all.
We round the meal off with a coffee and just soak up the atmosphere. It really is a beautiful spot that isn’t a restaurant you can just visit once. Everything here from the service to the flavour, the presentation to the interior is on point. The atmosphere is sophisticated yet relaxing and it offers the ideal place to hide away from the busy-ness of the city below. When looking for somewhere to head with your other half, family or friends, make Pivot at 3 Henrietta Street your first choice.
How to Find Pivot Bar and Bistro:
Pivot Bar and Bistro 3 Henrietta Street
3 Henrietta St, London WC2E 8LU
