Chamberlain’s Of London is owned by fourth generation fishmongers Chamberlain & Thelwell from Billingsgate Market who started in 1940. Their restaurant which has just seen a complete refurbishment first opened 16 years ago in 2001 and is located in the atmospheric Leadenhall Market.
As you’d expect, these guys are the real deal when it comes to all things fishy, even making their own vinegars, condiments and pickles onsite. By day we’d recommend grabbing their proper beer battered fish and chips and perching on a stool out front, whilst at night things get a whole lot fancier.
It’s a pretty big restaurant with a basement (which had a private party in it when we visited) and a mezzanine level but we sat by the ground floor window, looking out onto the market.
Start your evening with a coupe of champagne whilst perusing the menu – the rest of the wine list is extensive but the helpful sommelier will gladly guide you through it! Chef Andrew Jones (ex Claridges) treated us to an amuse bouche of cucumber and creamy salmon whilst we decided, giving us a little taste of what was to come.
We started with a truly decadent bowl of Lobster Bisque poured at the table over fresh brown shrimp. So far, really damn good. In fact it’s a large menu and we found it a challenge to choose between the likes of oysters, roasted scallops and dressed crab, all of which stood out.
However our main of Dover Sole blew everything out the water (‘scuse the pun). They’ll prepare it however which way you like – grilled, pan fried or poached in Champagne sauce, either on or off the bone – but we went for grilled, on the bone. It was a joy to eat, perfect in fact – and like the rest of the dishes we’d had it was a hefty portion, so you’re certainly not going to leave this place hungry. We added a side of truffle and parmesan fries and green beans which we definitely didn’t need, nor could we finish.
With no room for their traditional puds we left thinking it would be a good place to take someone from out of town, wanting a taste of ‘traditional’ London.
