"Sweetings is a seafood restaurant that serves nostalgia. A feeling that is immeasurably rich and powerful. Incidentally, it’s also how a majority of Sweetings’ clientele aim to feel on a regular basis. Lunch-only and in the heart of the City, this is London’s original canteen. It’s been knocking about for well over 100 years and, often, you can taste that too. The complimentary bread is two slices of buttered brown straight from the packet. That isn’t a bad thing. And a prawn cocktail is, and always will be, a prawn cocktail. photo credit: Koray Firat photo credit: Koray Firat photo credit: Koray Firat photo credit: Koray Firat There’s a harrumphing atmosphere here. Immaculate table settings, silver spoons, and talks of deals fill every table. Some of London’s more stylish sets have co-opted Sweetings in recent times, but this place will always be more boarding school than Le Bon Marché. Guinness and champagne do wonders for everything. A half of black velvet in a pewter tankard will do the same at Sweetings. This is an immersive City boy experience, so lean in. You don’t have to be a sentient signet ring to enjoy Sweetings, but you do have to accept that sometimes things don’t change for the better, too. Food Rundown photo credit: Karolina Wiercigroch Crab Bisque It's served with all the flair of a tin of Heinz, but it's a flavourful bowl of soup. photo credit: Karolina Wiercigroch Prawn Cocktail Pyrex bowl, check. Shredded iceberg lettuce, check. A pile of prawns and Marie Rose sauce, check. It looks and tastes as you’d expect. Potted Shrimps It doesn’t come in a pot, but there is some lightly spiced shrimp. As is Sweetings’ way, this comes with some sliced brown bread. Which is nostalgic ‘n all...but not that nice. photo credit: Karolina Wiercigroch Fish Pie Like a hug from your mum, or getting into your duvet at 7pm in December. A fine fish pie. Lobster Mash If you haven’t double-mashed then you’re doing it all wrong. This comes with lobster bisque and chunks of the good stuff. Anyone got a trough? photo credit: Karolina Wiercigroch Sticky Toffee Pudding We can almost hear the cheers of someone dropping their lunch tray at school eating this. Soft, sweet, and made better with lashings of (presumably) Bird’s custard." - Jake Missing
