STEPPING away from London’s bustling Oxford Street into the calmer neighbourhood surrounding The Dilly, we are welcomed straight away into a lobby that drips in luxury and affluence.
Quickly we are directed to the shining lift towards the back of the room which is about to take us up to the very top of the building where Terrace at The Dilly‘s new Secret Garden awaits us.
Terrace at The Dilly Secret Garden
As we walk out of the lift, the dark and regal essence of the downstairs is stripped away as this new room is bursting with natural light and heavenly flowers, almost like we aren’t inside at all.
We opt to have our dinner outside where the bouquets shield the table from the passersby below, making it the perfect destination for an evening of privacy and romance.
Terrace at The Dilly Secret Garden
Once we are seated we begin to scour the menu as an expert bartender starts to make our drinks, which happily we can see from the corner of our eyes. We decided to go for two cocktails including the Royal Cherry, made of Luxardo Sangue Morlacco Cherry Liqueur, Ginger Liqueur, Lemon Juice, and Almond Syrup; and the Exotic Passion with Dead Man’s Finger Banana, Blend Passion Fruit Liqueur, Passion Fruit Puree, Lime Juice, and Coconut Syrup.
Terrace at The Dilly Secret Garden
It doesn’t take long before our main dishes arrive and I must say, the smell alone is enough to satisfy any diner. I picked the Sundried tomato and grilled halloumi Gnochiette pasta, with basil pesto, toasted pine nuts, and rocket, whilst my guest opted for the North Atlantic loin of cod, with Camden Hells beer batter, crushed peas, thick cut chips, and tartar sauce.
Once we dig in, we find ourselves in complete silence as the food is just too good to stop and chat! The creaminess of the pesto combined with the salty halloumi melts in my mouth, whilst the crunch of pine nuts adds a great amount of texture.
Terrace at The Dilly Secret Garden
Sadly we reach the end of these dishes after pretty much clearing the plates clean and we are presented yet again with the cocktail menu and a dessert list.
Taking a while to appreciate what we have just eaten, we decide to get two more cocktails, this time being the Dilly Mule made of Belvedere Vodka, Lime Juice, Ginger Beer, and Angostura Bitters, and the Caramel & Vanilla Espresso Martini with Absolut Vanilla, Kahlua Coffee Liqueur, Caramel Syrup, and a Double Espresso.
Terrace at The Dilly Secret Garden
It doesn’t take long until we are hungry again and ready for dessert so we decide to share the Lemon cheesecake, with raspberry and sorrel sorbet, and the Dark chocolate fondant, with chocolate and blood orange ice cream.
I could have eaten these for days. Each element brings a new explosion of taste to the back of my tongue and I find myself wanting more and more. None of the flavours were too heavy which is ideal for the summer spirit and each aroma appears fresh and crisp like it had been captured that same day.
Terrace at The Dilly Secret Garden
Once our plates are clear we finish off our drinks as the sun begins to set upon the Terrace. I will definitely be returning to The Dilly again and urge anyone who hasn’t yet to run not walk.
by Alicia Tomkinson