The Venue
In all honesty, The Gun isn’t much to look at from the outside. Cross the threshold however, and it’s a totally different ball game. The front dining area and bar is littered with beautifully laid tables, impressive naval-inspired portraits hang on the walls and homely trinkets are littered about.
As you move through to the rear of the venue, the scale of The Gun really hits you. Another bar awaits, alongside more restaurant tables, this time accompanied by stunning views across the Thames. The Gun is not done there however; gorgeous private dining rooms are available for those looking for a little privacy, and a wonderful riverside seating area beckons when the sun shines. I was instantly charmed.
The Gun charms on entry, with some eye catching pieces that prompt conversation over dinner.
The Atmosphere and Clientele
Fine dining is often viewed as a serious endeavour. Thankfully The Gun was a world apart. The tables are relatively close together, creating a great atmosphere, with the wonderful sound of chatter and genuine enjoyment filling the room. Watching couples, young families and groups of friends tucking into their dishes only whets the appetite, and by the time our food came, I was fifty shades of starving.
The view over the Thames is stunning day and night, and makes for a lovely setting.
The Food and Drinks
I’ve got to be honest, we were a little bit spoilt.
Before we ordered, our hostess informed us the chef had prepared a ‘Taste of Lamb’ just for us – three words and I was in foodie Nirvana. In anticipation of the lamb, starters seemed trivial. However I can assure you they were majestic. I opted for the roast breast of Yorkshire wood pigeon, with liver parfait, buttered asparagus and quail’s egg, which looked almost as good as my date. She chose well too, the dressed Dorset crab, with lemon mayo and Melba toast was vibrant and fresh.
The lamb finally arrived on a tray that covered the table – it was definitely a sight for sore eyes. We had a cacophony of cuts to try; lamb shank, braised rib, devilled kidneys on toast, pencil fillets, and last of all… a pulled lamb croquette. Simply, it was all class; and although you can’t order this from the menu (a crying shame) – it shows the invention, style and quality that sings from every dish on The Gun’s menu. Dessert swiftly followed in the form of treacle tart (with clotted cream, butterscotch and roasted banana) and a selection of sorbets. I hope I’ve done the food some justice, because it was stunning, from the first piece of pigeon, to the last spoon of sorbet.
The food is top quality; with expert cooking and style all coming together to make great dishes.
Summary
The top brass at Michelin should take note, The Gun deserves a medal, or maybe even a cheeky star. The service was delightful, and alongside the food and wine it was a fantastic evening. If you’re looking for classy dinner and drinks in London, The Gun blows the competition clean out of the water.
