December in London means short days and long, dark nights. But it doesn’t have to mean empty bellies. L’Oscar’s new cafe sees to that with the best sticky toffee pudding in London.
We’re in holborn to beat the winter blues and lift our spirits. To this end, we head to Cafe L’Oscar and enjoy a mid-week indulgence in the form of a pre-theatre set menu.
Where is the best sticky toffee pudding in London?
Café L’Oscar, at the boutique L’Oscar Hotel in Holborn, has by far the best sticky toffee pudding in London. Although it’s a random location, the pay-off versus the small effort to get there is well worth it. Especially with such a lovely dessert to look forward to!
What’s more, Café L’Oscar is just 3 stops from Piccadilly Circus station. Easy peasy. With dessert in mind, we head there to take the pre-theatre menu for a spin!
It’s at the gorgeous Cafe L’Oscar
L’Oscar’s inviting restaurant is the perfect antidote to a dark and drizzly evening. We particularly love the art deco feel and welcoming wood-panelled interior. What’s more, Tony Fleming, one of London’s most aspiring chefs from Michelin-starred Angler, heads up the kitchen.
A team of friendly staff welcome us and show us to the table. They’re also sure to look after our dietary needs.
Moroccan spiced soup to start
Our meal starts with Moroccan spiced butternut soup, which we especially love with the complimentary warm sour dough baguette. The bread has a perfect crusty exterior, and is served with butter. Not only is it lovely, but it’s also a welcome accompaniment to our soup.
The Moroccan spiced butternut soup, with tahini and coriander dressing, is similarly delicious and tantalises the taste buds. Each spoonful is smooth with hidden depths of sweetness interspersed with bursts of flavour. So far, so good.
Then we have a delicious Cornish cod
After finishing soup, we try the roast fillet of Cornish cod on spatzl Bolognese, which is exquisite – reminding us of our culinary experience in the heart of Ginza, Tokyo. The cod is cooked to perfection and readily flakes, with each mouthful, full of flavour. Furthermore, the Bolognese is quietly understated and compliments the cod perfectly. This being the case, the whole dish leaves you yearning for more, an experience to be savoured. This is cooking at its best!
Which brings us to dessert and the best sticky toffee pudding in London
Feeling satisfied that the journey to Holborn had been worth the effort, dessert beckons. We start with a warm sticky ginger pudding, in a pool of treacle topped with vanilla. This is quintessential English cooking, and is demolished oh-so-quickly.
Next up is my dessert – an indulgent passionfruit & mango pavlova – which is sophisticated and just as addictive.
All in all, it’s been a satisfactory meal, made more so by the reasonable price and friendly service.
Read more of our restaurant reviews here.
The small print
Pre-theatre set menu at Cafe L’Oscar, Holborn
Address – 2-6 Southampton Row, Holborn, London WC1B 4AA
Website – Cafe L’Oscar at The L’Oscar Hotel
