Aqua Shard, London Bridge

Shard, the tallest building in European Union needs no introductions. It hosts several good restaurants, and as I spotted a lunch deal with Aqua Shard, I had to give it a go! The views may be good – but is that what you mainly pay for?

Aqua Shard is a British style restaurant located on Shard’s 31st level – the express lift takes you there in no time but be prepared for popping ears. Situated next to Oblix and Hutong, you’ll enter the restaurant by steps looking over London – a sight not to me missed. The staff was quick to help me and soon I was escorted to my table, overlooking London!

I chose to have a three-course lunch, starting with a beautiful Bellini, true to the colors of Venice as painted by Giovanni Bellini in the 15th century. My starter was celeriac velouté with a nice touch of added black pudding croquette – a very good combination. I am a big fan of celeriac (and fennel, and parley, and and and…. )

For the main course I had braised Hereford beef cheek. For this I had high expectations as the waiter recommended it. However, the meat did not have that intense flavors and the gel like stringiness did not make eating that pleasurable. I completely missed what the foraged sea herbs and wild garlic were supposed to bring to the plate. Good dish, but somewhat disappointing.

The desert was the star of my visit, Yorkshire rhubarb served with duck egg custard, sparkling wine and rosewater jelly, and blood orange sorbet. Very nice and beautiful plate! Yum!

If you have not yet done any of the Shard restaurants then you’re missing out. My visit to Oblix was very nice, I have not been to Hutong yet and my first time in Aqua Shard was exceptionally good. This time my visit was perhaps a touch disappointing. The quality of the food had dropped and the staff was a bit lost at times. Acoustics was actually fairly good – conversations easy.

Hotel Torni in Helsinki has toilets with views… but Aqua Shard’s facilities top that!

Aqua Shard
The Shard, 31 St Thomas St,
London SE1 9RY, UK
aquashard.co.uk