Top Places and Services in United Kingdom

The Clove Club, situated in the historic Shoreditch Town Hall in London, has firmly established itself as a beacon of modern British cuisine. Since its inception, it has garnered significant acclaim, including a Michelin star in its first year and a second star thereafter, reflecting its commitment to excellence.

**Ambience and Setting**

Housed within the Grade II-listed Shoreditch Town Hall, The Clove Club exudes a minimalist yet welcoming atmosphere. The dining area is characterized by high ceilings and large windows, creating an airy environment that complements its open kitchen design. This layout allows diners to observe the meticulous preparation of their meals, fostering a sense of connection between the kitchen and the dining experience. The absence of traditional tablecloths and the presence of azure-tiled kitchen accents contribute to a relaxed yet refined setting.

**Culinary Experience**

Under the guidance of chef Isaac McHale, The Clove Club offers tasting menus that highlight seasonal British ingredients with innovative flair. Dishes such as buttermilk fried chicken, marinated in buttermilk for 24 hours and fried using tapioca and polenta flours, have been lauded for their exceptional flavor and texture . Another standout is the smoked wild Irish char paired with sour cream and rye, noted for its delicate balance and subtle smokiness .

The restaurant's commitment to showcasing British produce is evident in its menu selections. For instance, dishes featuring white asparagus, monkfish, chicken, and Aylesbury duck are prepared with precision, though some critics have expressed a desire for more luxurious ingredients at this price point .

**Service and Hospitality**

The service at The Clove Club is often described as attentive and knowledgeable. Staff members, including sommeliers, are praised for their expertise and friendly demeanor. However, there have been instances where service missteps occurred, such as a venison sausage rolling off the grill and into a diner's lap, with the staff appearing flustered in their response . Overall, the service is generally well-received, contributing positively to the dining experience.

**Beverage Pairings**

The Clove Club offers wine pairings that are both unusual and interesting, enhancing the overall dining experience . Additionally, the restaurant provides tea pairings, though some diners have noted that the teas presented had a similar, weak profile, lacking the robustness expected from their descriptions .

**Value and Pricing**

Dining at The Clove Club is a premium experience, with tasting menus priced accordingly. Some patrons have expressed concerns regarding the value, particularly in relation to the luxury of ingredients used . Nevertheless, many diners find the innovative cuisine and overall experience to be worth the investment.

**Conclusion**

The Clove Club stands as a testament to modern British gastronomy, offering a dining experience that combines innovative cuisine with a relaxed yet refined atmosphere. While certain aspects, such as ingredient selection and beverage pairings, have received mixed feedback, the restaurant's commitment to showcasing seasonal British produce and delivering attentive service continues to attract both local and international patrons.

We went for a birthday dinner, and we couldn't have been happier. From the moment we walked into the dining room, the staff were warm and welcoming. The menu flowed at a great pace, and the dishes were executed perfectly, flavours were outstanding of every dish along with their descriptions. We must thank Em our Sommelier on the night and Paolo for their amazing hospitality throughout the night. We were super happy with the wine choice! It was truly memorable.

Went for our wedding anniversary. We had tasting menu with wine flight. Staff were very professional and attentive. Food was good. I thought the wine could have been more equal, as there were differences between my husband's and mine, with me always getting a shorter measure. Despite paying the same price for each of us. When we mentioned it to the sommelier she didn't seem to be interested. Higher end in terms of cost so you want it to meet your expectations.

2 stars Michelin restaurant in Shoreditch. It’s used to be number 32 but fell to 80th place in the world’s best restaurant (as of June 2024). Dropped out of top 50 unfortunately. Came here for lunch on Saturday. We chose the short tasting menu. I had to say all were excellent. I usually judge the restaurant by the bread and butter. I found bread was slightly tough. The butter was good but not outstanding. I also feel they should improve “the attention to detail of the whole dining experience”. Felt more like Michelin restaurant rather than world’s top 100. If you happen to experience in Tokyo or in Asia or Paris etc, you would understand. IFKYK

Outstanding experience. I had lunch here in mid-December and the food and service is incredible. The dining room is beautiful and is arranged so each table has a view of the kitchen.

Nearly everything on the tasting menu is exceptional. The dishes have a good level of restraint applied to them so you end up with clean flavours and a clear display of the chefs' skill. With one exception, each course had a very strongly flavoured element - such as the pungent ginger in the sardine sashimi or the almond beurre noisette in the trout dish - which bought everything together in a well-balanced way. The best dish was the Orkney scallop with black truffle - great to see Scottish produce so prominent in a London restaurant. There were some hiccups, namely the dry-aged pork dish not being quite as good as the rest of the menu and the ice cream in the potato mouse being on the melted side - to be fair, the flavours were outstanding, and, as far as sweet and savoury desserts go, this was probably the best I've had. I didn't opt for the pairing but instead had a glass of champagne and Clos Lunelles from Bordeaux, which were both excellent recommendations from the sommelier.

I don't think I can remember service at a restaurant being as good as it is here. If, like me, you haven't experienced something like it before, it's great fun to watch, and even better to experience in-person. The staff, whilst quite formal and professional, are very hospitable and accommodating, and do such an outstanding job in such an effortless way. The initial welcome is amazing if you've never experienced something like it before; going out of their way to greet you and make you feel comfortable, pulling your chair out, giving you a hot towel - I'm sure this is fairly standard for a lot of restaurants of this calibre but it was so special for me. The young members of the team are charming and very skilled for being at an early stage of their careers. Syah (I hope I spelled that right!) went the extra mile to make it a special experience. She is a star and was able to build rapport in such a natural way - I hope she goes far in hospitality because she's certainly got the talent for it!

I would thoroughly recommend the Clove Club and if I had the money for it I would go there regularly.