Review on The Culpeper
The Culpeper named after the seventeenth-century English herbalist, Nicholas Culpeper who lived nearby, occupies a busy corner site at the end of Commercial Road in Aldgate, opposite Petticoat Lane Market and about 10 minutes walk from the Old Spitalfields Market. Housed in a smart Victorian building, formerly known at the Princess Alice, this bustling pub is currently reaping the benefits of a serious revamp.
Spread over four floors it has been loving restored, whilst retaining many of its original features. Large Victorian windows allows the ground floor bar and eating area to be flooded with lots of natural light, with an attractive staircase leading to the more formal and stylish Culpeper Kitchen on the first floor. On the third level there are five beautifully furnished bedrooms, whilst on the top floor there's a fantastic roof terrace with magnificent views across London and it's also home to their greenhouse and kitchen garden.
The kitchen is under the leadership of former Terroirs chef Sanday Jarvis, who has devised a daily changing concise menu of British and French dishes using seasonal ingredients. Among the list of starters you might find squid, black risotto, gremolata and aioli or wood pigeon and chestnut wellington, quince and walnuts. When it comes to main courses there's skate, salsify, beurre blanc and chanterelles or a satisfying stout braised beef cheek pudding, beetroot, horseradish and watercress. Completing the picture are desserts such as treacle tart served with crème fraiche or poached rhubarb, frangipane and pistachio ice cream.
To accompany the food there's natural wine from small independent growers and seasonal cocktails based on herbs grown on their roof.
Cuisine
Gastro pub / Modern European
Chef
Sandy Jarvis
Restaurant Opening Times
Lunch: 12.00 - 3.00pm Mon-Fri (11.00am - 3.00pm Sat & 12.00 - 6.00pm Sun)
Dinner: 6.00 - 10.30pm Mon-Sat
Accepted credit cards
Visa, Master Card, American Express