Where?
Aquavit is a short walk from Picadilly Circus station, in the heart of the dining hotspot that is St James’s Market.
St James’s Market, 1 Carlton Street, London
What is Aquavit?
Derived from the Norwegian word ‘Akvavit’, Aquavit is a distilled spirit produced in Scandinavia and is its National spirit. Aquavit London, therefore, is a Scandinavian inspired restaurant, offering Nordic cuisine with a contemporary feel. It also takes influence from the original two Michelin star Aquavit restaurant in New York,
What We Ate
Shortly after we arrived we were given a selection of delectable bread with smoked cod roe butter (they also offer gluten-free bread on request) whilst we perused their Autumn menu.
Starters
To start, I opted for the Smoked pumpkin & einkorn salad, green kale, smoked vegan cheese which was a very unique salad combination but works very well. My plus-one went for the Pan-Fried diver Scallops, burnt leeks, fish veloute, dill and described them as perfectly cooked and delicious
Mains
Being a Nordic restaurant, we both felt there would be no better choice than a dish with fish, leading my guest to the Norwegian Halibut and myself to the stone bass fillet. The stone bass was served with an appetising liquorice jus, that enhanced the flavours of the fish very well. The Halibut was also served in a sauce – a saffron butter sauce – which paired with it and the Palourde clams in the dish perfectly.
Dessert
To finish off our meal I went for the Blueberry poached pineapple, fresh berries & mint and it was just what I needed – it was refreshing, light and not too sweet! My plus-one went for the Kladdkaka, white chocolate ganache, lingonberries, recommended by our server, and was rich, fudgy and definitely a must-try for any chocolate lover.
One thing to note about the food is not just how amazing it tasted – the presentation of every course is clearly just as important at Aquavit, and we were very impressed.
To drink
We opted for red wine and were brought Domaine de la Semellerie 2017 Chinon, and enjoyed it throughout our meal.
The Vibes
As you step into the restaurant, your eyes immediately fixate on the large, contemporary gold chandeliers descending from the ceiling in the centre of the dining area
The bar is also unmissable, with its beautifully modern design, perfect to sit at for a drink or pre-drinks before dining. It matches the gold theme of the chandeliers, and of the entire restaurant intertwining the whole space.
Despite the modern, bustling feel, Aquavit provides a cosy, intimate vibe where you and your guests can have your own space to enjoy your evening without being overcrowded.
During the evening, the staff were friendly, offering recommendations and happy to answer any questions we had about the menu.
All in all, Aquavit is very versatile: being perfect for a work dinner with the location being close to the city, a pre-theatre dinner or a date night.
Aquavit is perfect for it all!
Aquavit London Events & Private Dining
Aquavit offers two private dining rooms on their mezzanine floor, perfect for both corporate and social events.
Stockholm Room: 63 seated/ 100 standing
Copenhagen Room: 15 seated – perfect for meetings or intimate gatherings
Rooms can be adjoined for larger groups
Book your Lunch/ Dinner event or dining experience at Aquavit London through Miss Jones here:
