Do try and nab a table overlooking the piazza - it's quite the view.
So what should we know about Pivot Bar & Bistro
You may have been aware of Scottish chef Mark Greenaway opening a restaurant in Covent Garden in autumn, last year. At the time of opening, it took up the first floor of the 3 Henrietta Street, a building which was also home to a coffee shop, tea room and tiki bar. On launch, it offered a tasting menu only, but this summer it - how can we put it? - pivoted to more of an all-day bistro, also taking over the ground floor space that had previously been run by The Gentlemen Baristas.
Where is it?
You'll find 3 Henrietta Street in the heart of Covent Garden, at the southern end of the piazza. Take the stairs to the first floor where you'll find the more formal dining room with counter dining by the open kitchen and a lovely dining room with great views over Covent Garden.
What's on the menu?
They describe it as "homely well-cooked gourmet classics". In practice, that means a more traditional style menu of starters, mains and desserts - with a separate regional bread section.
Here's what we had:
Warm stottie cake with whipped Devon crab butter (£4) - the bread changes monthly
Pork Crackling Crisps with black vinegar mayo (£8) - who doesn't love a bit of pork scratchings?
Spiced lamb sausage roll with HP sauce (£7.50) - every bit as good as it sounds. Stellar bar snack.
Free Range English Chicken with a mushroom & tarragon cream sauce (£19) - maybe this was our fault for ordering the chicken dish, but this was the letdown of the dinner, lacking any real seasoning.
Beef shin & Bone Marrow Pie with a shallot and red wine sauce. (£24.50) - A huge pie, and there's plenty of marrow in that bone too.
What is there for vegetarians or vegans?
We'd like to make a special mention for the sides which, in addition to reading well on the menu, were standouts all of their own, including a particularly delicious Pommes Dauphinoise.
Braised Roscoff Onion with Wiltshire truffles and roasted hazelnuts (£6.50) - this is a variation of the dish that was on Pivot's old tasting menu where it was The Onion course.
Room for dessert?
But of course...
This Raspberry Pavlova (£9.50) - more of a giant meringue really - came with lemon cream and hot caramel sauce.
What about to drink?
We didn't manage to try the cocktails, although the Super Cosmo with lime skin-infused vodka sounded fun. The wine list moves from a very decent house red (a Primitivo from Puglia) at £28 right up to a £175 bottle of Mersault, so there should be something for everyone on there.
Overall thoughts:
This attractive dining room is a great spot to bring visitors to London, with a stellar view of the street performances in the piazza below if you've managed to grab a window seat. The snacks alone are worth popping in for and if you like pie well, you'll want to try the one here.
More about Pivot Bar & Bistro
Where is it? 3 Henrietta Street, London WC2E 8LU
Find out more: Visit their website or follow them on Instagram @pivotbarandbistro.
Hot Dinners dined as guests of Pivot. Prices correct at time of publication.
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