Amidst London’s bustling centre, three unique restaurants stand out, each embodying a distinct personality with their aesthetic: Kitty Fisher’s – the big and mature sister in Mayfair’s Shepherd Market; Cafe Kitty, the cool younger joint in Soho; and Cora Pearl in Covent Garden. Founded by Oliver Milburn, Tom Mullion, and Tim Steel, these three restaurants offer fine dining experiences, serving traditional, modern and luxurious British cuisine.
The trio have been friends for quite some time and have opened numerous restaurants reflecting London’s rich history and culinary excellence.
Kitty Fisher’s
Kitty Fisher’s opened to a great deal of critical acclaim in the mid-2010s. It quickly was on the radar for most of the London public due to its superb hospitality, impeccable atmosphere, and of course, great food. Even though the pandemic struck Kitty Fisher’s hard, the three owners persevered – opening the restaurant’s two younger siblings. Today, Kitty Fisher’s still resides in Mayfair, waiting to welcome anyone coming to her doors.
Urbane and refined, the restaurant has a rustic vibe to it, featuring rich hues of wooden furniture complimented by coal grey walls and warm overhead lights. Our elegant table was next to an 1800s oven and the whole room has so much history. With its sophisticated interior layout and warm purples, reds, as well as greens, the design embodies Mayfair’s historic glamour – containing many Victorian pubs, wine markets, and a rich literary history. In fact, the restaurant itself is named after an infamous courtesan during the 18th century who lived near its current location, once again reminding visitors of the market’s history. Kitty was so rich that she was carried around London in a sedan chair by liveried servants!
Kitty Fisher’s also offers “Kitty’s Club Room,” a private dining room that can accommodate up to 12 people. Overlooking the bustle of Shepherd Market below, this intimate dining area is awash with various shades of green with white accents from the marble fireplace and white tablecloth.
The Kitty Fisher’s Menu
Ever-changing cocktails and a curated wine list complement the food offering – a mixture of light bites and more substantial steaks and fish dishes, all with a modern British and European twist. With a focus on sourcing the finest ingredients and offering an old-world wine list, Kitty Fisher’s exemplifies traditional British cooking.
The menu is focused and tempting. Currently, the menu offers dishes such as pea soup with slipcote croquettes & lemon Bmalm, and a creamy chicken liver parfait to start. The snacks are worth a look too with the creamiest cod’s roe on toast that was packed with flavour.
For the mains, there are some great sharing dishes such as a Galloway Wing Rib or Chateaubriand. The Wing Rib is such a tasty cut of the meat. The crispy potatoes that come with the beef are something to behold. Crispy, fluffy and very moreish. The ingredients throughout the menu carry such brilliant provenance and are a showcase for British cooking.
The Kitty Fisher’s Bar
Kitty Fisher’s offers a large selection of drinks from their bar. From wine to whiskies to eaux de vie as well as a range of original cocktails. Their brandy selections include Bas-Armagnac, Chateau de Lacquy 1998, Calvados and Château Du Breuill, and the whisky they have on offer also includes Lagavulin 16yo, Islay, The Glenlivet 18yo, Speyside, and Nikka From The Barrel, Japan. The wine list is varied with a bottle-only reserve cellar with a wide selection of glorious wines.
Cafe Kitty: The Cool New Joint
Located on the first floor of the Underbelly Boulevard Theatre, Kitty Fisher’s founders opened Cafe Kitty, offering delicious modern British food. Whether you’re a theatre lover looking to dine for a set menu, seeking a casual lunch, or even just for dinner after a long day, Cafe Kitty is the place. Expect the same quality and calibre as its older sibling, Café Kitty is also more laid back, with a brasserie-style feel. The decor denotes Kitty Fisher’s signature design, relaxed yet refined – sumptuous pink walls surrounding the restaurant, with comfy banquettes to sink in. There is a friendly price point, pretheatre options and a young, more Soho vibe.
Image Courtesy of Matt Hague
The Cafe prepares exclusive pre and post-show menus for Underbelly Shows’ visitors, and recently launched their new Express Lunch menu to rival the city’s great and good at £23 for two courses and £27 for three courses. Combining modern British cuisine with a European Twist, the menus change seasonally, catering to both vegetarians and meat lovers. Among their signature dishes are the Cured Trout, Holstein Schnitzel, Stavordale Cheese Salad, and even Kitty Fisher’s special crispy potatoes – a must-have dish. For desserts, their puddings are impeccable – try the Boozy Knickerbocker Glory.
If you’re around on a Sunday, hop by and try their Sunday Lunch menu with jazz music in the background – especially the Sunday roasts including chicken, beef sirloin and caramelised Roscoff onion. If you check their Instagram, Cake Kitty also have a Sunday Lunch Series where they share some of these recipes.
Cora Pearl
Cora Pearl, also named after a renowned British courtesan, is the second restaurant by Kitty Fisher’s founders. Elegant, with a cosy bistro feel, the restaurant is in the heart of the West End. Led by head chef Gianmarco Abramo, one option is the Devilled Whitebait & Dill Mayo, followed by the Confit Duck Leg with Parsnip & Sour Cherries, then ice-cream for dessert. To ensure that you don’t miss the performances, Cora Pearl texts you beforehand to know exactly what time you need to leave. This way, they’ll have you well-fed before your big show!
As for their daily menu, it features fresh and seasonal ingredients sourced from across the UK, prepared into comforting British food with a Parisian twist – homage to one of the late courtesan’s favourite cities. For appetisers try the Cornish Scallop, with Baby Turnip and Elderflower. Onto the main course, you really need to have the Blythburgh Pork Chop accompanied by shiitake, celeriac & mustard – along with the Suffolk Texel Cross Lamb Rump served with peas, yoghurt & black garlic. Just like Cafe Kitty, Cora Pearl play jazz soundtracks on Sundays and offers a special menu. Enjoy their special Bloody Marys, roasts and billowing Yorkshire puddings.
Cora Pearl’s cocktail and wine menu features a diverse selection of top-notch drinks, with the wines sourced from European growers. They even unveiled some of their secret cocktail recipes online such as Bad Kitty with Beefeater Gin, Hayman’s Sloe Gin, Elderflower, Lemon, and Cava. Another is the French Blonde, made from Cocchi Americano, Beefeater Gin, St Germain Elderflower, and Grapefruit.
To discover more, visit kittyfishers.com, Corapearl.co.uk, Cafekitty.co.uk
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Images courtesy of Kitty Fisher’s, Cora Pearl, and Cafe Kitty’s Instagram and Website.