During our meal with Lunita, (Jo’s surrogate godmother) the previous evening, she suggested that we have lunch at the Criterion in Piccadilly. Seeing as we we’re going to be in the part of town visiting the BP portrait exhibition we thought we’d give it go.

Wow, ornate isn’t the word and the website blurb definitely lives up to its claims, however it did feel a little stuffy. Once we were seated we went through the set lunch menu, which on reflection was a bargain.

Criterion, Piccadilly London

Jo had a mini duck eggs benedict (with ums and ahs) and i had beef carpaccio, (more um, than ahs). Following that was salmon and samphire and a pork chop and mash for me and they both were great. However the chop was HUGE, to the point that i was violently shaking the table to cut through it and all this at lunch!

Where i think the meal excelled though was with the deserts. Jo had a lovely chocolate brownie, baked like a gold bar with great home made ice cream and a blackberry compote. I went for a gooseberry fool filled brandy snap and espresso, which i must add was very good. Good coffee gets overlooked in far too many places in my opinion.

Dessert at the Criterion

I’ll be going back again, but i’ll leave me trainers and jeans at home.