21 Restaurant and Bar Covent Garden

Growing up in London I was spoilt with wonderful places to visit. Covent Garden especially has always held a special place in my heart, having spent many an hour shopping, wandering around the lovely market stalls and then having a bite to eat. 

If you haven't visited before then you are really missing a treat it has some wonderful foodie treasures. I have written about some of them which you can read here.   

On the weekend Covent Garden is a hive of activity, with people milling around and making the most of their weekends. There is also the wonderful Royal Opera House and London Transport Museum to visit where children get in free. 

But one of my most favourite things to do has to be visiting The Moomin shop.

For those of you too young to know what I am talking about check it out on YouTube. Growing up I loved watching reruns of this programme. 

So when I was contacted by 21 Restaurant and Bar in Covent Garden, to come and try out their Italian restaurant, it was a resounding yes. Well any excuse to visit Covent Garden, The Moomin shop, and we all know how much I love Italian food.  

I have often seen people sipping and eating food on the cobbled piazza terrace that is owned by 21. But it had totally passed me by that 21 also had a restaurant and bar set over three floors. 

The restaurant is set in the beautiful historic cellar vaults.  

21 also has a roof terrace bar The Print Room with wonderful balconies overlooking the piazza.   

Now where better to view the street performers and watch the world pass by on a hot summers day than here. This is the perfect spot for people watching. 

Once comfortably seated inside we started our meal with two cocktails. 

Taytini (on the left) made with Absolut vodka and served straight with an elegant mix of Aperol (Italian aperitif), Merlet peach liqueur and fresh raspberries. 

San Sebastian (on the right) flavours of Havana three year rum, Carton banana liqueur, passion fruit and cinnamon syrup. This one is potent.

Both were delicious but the Taytini I could have easily supped all night. I have these on my cocktail list now. 

Looking over the menu there was lots of choice and after lots of umming and ahring we opted for:

Salumi board a selection of cured meats and pickles (£13.25) - prosciutto di Norcia, finocchiona, capocollo toscano and aged balsamic. This is a perfect dish for me as I love prosciutto and with a basket of focaccia bread I was in heaven.   

We shared a crostini three piece selection (£4.45) - vine plum tomato and basil, goat's cheese, Parma ham with caramelised fig, beetroot cured salmon, horseradish cream and pink peppercorn.

The toppings were really delicious, my favourite the goat's cheese, Parma ham with caramelised fig.

For our mains I opt for salmon cooked in a paper bag (£15.25), with baby leeks, garlic, rosemary and broccoli.

Now the pictures cannot do this beautiful dish justice. The Salmon was packed with flavour, lemon, rosemary, garlic and tomato. The Salmon melted in the mouth and the addition of leeks was a great idea. 

My other half opted for Cornish crab Linguine (14.25), garlic, lime, chilli and coriander. 

In an Italian restaurant, pasta is one of those meals that in my view is a signature dish, and if done poorly, can make or break your relationship with the restaurant. 

The Cornish crab Linguine was rich in flavour and texture. I am pleased to report that Crab Linguine here is a signature dish, the huge portion was devoured in minutes. 

We were absolutely full at this point, but the menu for desserts was really tempting. A foodie never knows when to say no. So we choose a dessert to share.    

A chocolate chip cookie sandwich with Vanilla pod Galato and Irish coffee. The cookie was perfect for sharing or should I say fighting over.  

When we headed for the exit the restaurant was full, always a good sign of a much loved restaurant. 

21 is a hidden gem, offering great service, authentic Italian food that is reasonably priced and now that we have found this hidden gem, we will most certainly be back. 

If your visiting the theatre in Covent Garden 21 also offer a wonderful pre theatre menu from 5.30 pm on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturday evenings. 

Thank you very much to 21 restaurant for a wonderful meal. Our meal was complimentary for the purposes of a review, but this is an honest and fair reflection of the restaurant and our meal. 

21 The Market
Covent Garden
London 
WC2E 8RD

Tel: (0)20 7836 2137