Head to The Allegory for a real everyday escape and gut-busting meal…

Drake and Morgan are a stunning collection of bars and restaurants in London, Manchester and Edinburgh, designed to take you from the throes of the city and into a whole new world. And that they do. Although they are a chain, Drake and Morgan are one of those magic brands that make you forget it. Their venues are linked in subtle ways (we recently went to the Folly)– cosy blankets thrown over chairs, inspirational (or funny) quotes in the bathrooms and the menus of course. Yet each and every one is very much their own, with their own unique identity, quirks and things to fall in love with. We recently visited the Allegory in Shoreditch’s happening hub Principal Place. It’s easily accessible from Liverpool Street station and within easy reach of the bustling hubbub of Shoreditch.

A real everyday escape, the décor is cosy and warm whilst still letting in plenty of natural light. Faux fur blankets are draped over chairs, exposed lightbulbs hand from high ceilings and vibrant red flowers sit on vases on every table. We had recently experienced the Sunday lunch at the Folly and if that was anything to go by, this was to be another gut-busting feast, so we ensured we didn’t over order on the sides!

As we were in on a Sunday we chose from their all day brunch menu with a whole host of delicious dishes from all-day breakfasts to a full on roast.  Our order was taken swiftly from a friendly waitress and we asked for their recommendations on wine. The result was a bottle of Barton & Guestier Cabernet Sauvignon  – a wine that was round and smooth on the palette with velvety tannins and a supple texture. It’s the ideal accompaniment to red meat, cheese and tomato dishes – so perfect for our choices. We opted for a loaf of sourdough and a chicken satay to share. The sourdough was hot from the often and dusted with flour and the chicken satay was juicy and tender and the sauce delicious.

For mains my partner opted for the sirloin steak sandwich – an ideal choice for hungry brunchers or for mopping up any hangover from the night before. Sandwiches between thick chunks of white bread were delicious carvings of steak – juicy and tender- and finished with a horseradish, mayonnaise and truffle oil dressing. I chose the bangers and mash – a real classic. The sausages were flavoursome and the mash light and fluffy. There was plenty of red onion gravy (one of my pet peeves is being stingy with gravy!) and the portion was an impressive size.

Dessert is a real must at the Allegory and it did not disappoint. My partners crème brulee was soft and creamy and my mixed berry crumble delicious. The berries were both sharp and sweet and tangy on the tongue and the crumble soft and sweet with the right amount of crunch. All finished with vanilla ice cream.

The Allegory is a dining venue ideal for brunching with friends, lunching with the other half and dining with the in laws. It’s friendly, it’s familiar and its funky. It takes you out of the streets of London and into a real haven of escapism where you can escape the grey and instead revel in a world of colour, fun and really great food and wine. But don’t just take our word for it, head there yourself…

The Allegory
1a Principal Place
Worship Street
London EC2A 2BA