You'd be forgiven for avoiding Leicester Square and it's somewhat tourist driven dining options, but while Bubba Gump's Shrimp Company and the Angus Steakhouses should probably best be avoided, there's a dark horse for a delightful dinner you might want to pay a visit to.
The behemoth that is TWG Tea is hard to miss, taking up the corner block next to the Lego store that once housed a giant McDonald's. While downstairs is home to the tea boutique, the upper level is transformed into a grand open plan tea salon, resplendent with intricate gold wallpaper and crystal chandeliers. The main menu of breakfasts, dinner bites and afternoon teas can be somewhat on the pricey side, so this week's Valentine's set menu with two courses for £22.50 or three for £27.50 is incredibly good value for money, all things considered.
With each dish infused with one of TWG's signature teas it's a unique take. Starters include a delicious textural dish of red and white quinoa, feta, beetroot, roasted almonds and dried cranberries with Strawberry Tea infused dressing, a scallop carpaccio with 1837 Green Tea infused dressing, pomegranate and romanesco cabbage or a chicken supreme ballotin filled with a mixed mushroom stuffing and served with a Ti Kuan Yin Tea infused wild mushroom sauce.
The mains were utterly sumptuous. Choose from a pan-roasted cod with caper relish, carrot sponge, fondant potatoes infused with Valentine Breakfast Tea, butternut squash mousseline, spinach imulsion and squid ink crackers, an asparagus risotto infused with Green of Fujian Tea and parmesan crisps, or the completely mouthwatering lamb rump with confit red cabbage, infused with Miraculous Mandarin tea and a seriously hefty chunk of dauphinoise potatoes.
Desserts can be selected from the patisserie counter if you're not keen on the one on-menu choice; a chocolate dome garnished with almond sponge, layered with dark chocolate mousse and Bain de Roses tea infused raspberry marmalade. Trust me, you won't regret it.
The menu is available from Monday 11th - Sunday 17th February. For more information visit www.twgtea.com
