Barbican Lounge

Compared to the paltry offering at the Waterside Café and the poor sandwiches that were offered in the pop-up eatery in the conservatory last summer (Brie and Marmite anyone?) it’s reassuring to know the food at the Barbican Lounge is good enough to rival any London restaurant worth its salt.

In terms of drinks, Prosecco is priced at £22.50 and there is a good selection of wines; the imported bottled beers are particularly intriguing with Budvar, Singha and Kastel Cru on offer, among others.

All dishes are tapas-sized (averaging £4 - £5), ideally suited for pre-show munchies, fitting given that before 8 pm there is a scattering of diners who swiftly disappear once the clock strikes. Cheese fondue is served in a charming miniature Le Creuset pot with a separate bowl of large croutons, winning points already on presentation, the melted Cheddar cheese has been given a kick with Worcester sauce. The juicy pork belly with pear is sublime, the tender, five hour braised oxtail with pappardelle is equally flavoursome - it’s almost a shame food this good is served in such small portions. Mussels are wrapped in smoky, salty bacon and are offset by a sweet chutney, creamy risotto balls ooze cheese when pierced with a fork, and a chunk of cured salmon cutlet is given added oomph thanks to a creamy bacon and cider dressing. Even the crusty bread comes with a rich salty butter that we can’t get enough of.

As the menu warns, the desserts are “not small plates”, heaps of chocolate fondue remain once the accompanying strawberries, pears and the dates hidden at the bottom have done their utmost to mop it all up. A vanilla-scented rice pudding is tarted up with a spicy plum compote, and we round off with the British cheese platter which contains suspiciously non-British Brie and soft blue cheeses along with quince jelly, but it’s too enjoyable for it to be a nag. The scrumptious menu at the Barbican Lounge make it a destination worth visiting in itself.