“Would you like a drink in our Martini Bar before dinner, sir?” This was my greeting at Christopher’s American Bar and Grill, and, after a lifetime of exams, I can tell you it’s possibly the easiest question I’ve ever faced.
The bar is busy but not crowded and the murmur of satisfied customers accompanies the excellent cocktail menu. As the name suggests, martinis take centre stage in this elegant bar with tradition sitting comfortably alongside contemporary versions developed by the staff.
The Martini Bar serves food far above stereotypical bar snacks, where perfectly seared and blackened tuna with an intense wasabi kick replace the humble pork scratching. Above the bar is the opulent dining room, reached via an ornate spiraling stone staircase.
Christopher’s has always had a reputation as the preferred destination for high-flying journalists and this hasn’t changed – walking through the busy room, my eyes momentarily settled on a notorious former tabloid editor enjoying his steak.
The food of head chef, and former Olympic triple-jumper, Francis Agyepong triumphs throughout. The starters include a deftly executed duck confit with tamarind sauce, whilst the five-spice belly of pork is exquisitely tender. Such excellence is nicely complimented by a bottle of Chateau Cissac from the well-furnished wine list.
As is to be expected, the steaks are excellent, treated simply and cooked perfectly so that the natural flavour of the high quality meat shines through. The sides tell a similar story, complimenting rather than competing and so leaving the steak as the star of the show.
The puddings are an all-American treat. From traditional New York cheesecake, to pecan pie, they are high-end adaptations of the desserts American films have made us so familiar with.
The restaurant’s attention to detail is evident across the board – from the service, attentive but not intrusive, to the delicious chocolates that accompany the end of the meal.
Christopher’s is a rare thing, a restaurant specialising in steak which steers clear of clichés, and an American-inspired menu which avoids degenerating into a theme park – I will most definitely be back.
