You haven’t had a real City dining experience until you’ve been to dinner at City Social.
City Social is a cocktail bar and restaurant situated inside Tower 42, the third-tallest skyscraper in the City of London and the eighth tallest in Greater London. Built between 1971 and 1980, Tower 42 is one of the oldest skyscrapers in the City and was originally called  the National Westminster Tower, having been built to house the National Westminster Bank’s international division.
Words cannot describe what spending an evening at City Social feels like. From the moment you set foot inside this Michelin starred restaurant, the stunning view and the incredibly courteous staff will prepare you for an evening of pure luxury. Get ready to see the City of London shining at your feet while being looked after by a knowledgeable and friendly team that will find you the perfect wine to accompany each of the marvellous dishes on the menu.
It’s difficult to choose what to pick among City Social’s enviable set of uncooked, cooked, main and grill menu sections. Looking at the menu, we understood immediately that the evening was going to be all about meat. We started with the pig’s trotter and ham hock with crispy Lancashire black pudding, apple and Madeira and slow-cooked duck breast with amarena cherry, pistachio yoghurt, five spice and dried vinegar. Both flavoursome yet light, they made for a perfect starter that prepared us for the royal main we chose.
The Côte de bÅ“uf for two served with heritage potatoes, duck fat chips, salad and bone marrow is a monster meal even when you’re sharing it. Yet, it’s probably the best meat you’ll ever eat in London, especially when accompanied by City Social’s impressive list of red wines. Served medium rare on a wooden chopping board, it’s a pleasure to look at and even more of a pleasure to eat.Â
Both starters and mains are served with City Social’s own baked bread, a selection of brown bread, chorizo and cheese bread and focaccias, which taste like they’ve just come out of the oven.
The mains aren’t the only impressive feature in City Social’s menu. We finished our night with a cheese trolley made of five fine cheeses from the restaurant’s selection, accompanied by crackers and apricot chutney. From Italian robiola to French blue, from light to strong, every cheese in the trolley makes for a perfect end to an already outstanding night.
It might not be cheap, but an evening at City Social is a real treat. Whatever you’re celebrating, be sure to choose City Social as your venue – and get ready for a memorable night.
Pictures: City Social, Carolina Are
Dinner for two: about £175
- Crispy Lancashire black pudding, apple and Madeira (£13)
- Slow-cooked duck breast with amarena cherry, pistachio yoghurt, five spice and dried vinegar (£15)
- Côte de bœuf for two served with heritage potatoes, duck fat chips, salad and bone marrow (£82)
- Five cheeses from the cheese trolley, with chutney and crackers (£13)
- Wine selection (£50 .ca)
