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The Exhibition Rooms
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By Charmaine Mok
Like City boys opting for crisp white shirts over flashy Paul Smith numbers, The Exhibition Rooms’ menu represents a sobering return to the classics – at first glance, that is. We were unfazed by the daytime menu of BLTs, mushrooms on toast and chargrilled steaks; our eyebrows might have involuntarily twitched at the somewhat incongruous Moroccan lamb tagine, but it was the dinner options that piqued our interest. Executive chef David Massey offers tantalising treats that err ever so slightly from the realm of ‘playing it safe’.
An immaculately presented starter of Cornish crab with green papaya, mango and coriander salad with Thai nam jim dressing was a refreshing mélange of punchy flavours. In the same vein, nashi pear salad was paired with ‘twice-cooked pork belly’, with a delicate soy and ginger reduction drizzled about. We expected tender meat braised in soy sauce and spices in the Chinese style; what we got was a witty play on Japanese katsu: two juicy slabs of pork belly coated in crunchy, golden-brown breadcrumbs. Naughty, but very, very nice.
More traditional were pan-fried chicken livers (creamy, though grainy in parts) atop brioche with a sherry vinegar glaze, and roasted salt marsh lamb with shimmering Puy lentils. Unctuous and silky orange panna cotta with diced pineapple and tiny pink peppercorns combined to give an explosive dessert.
The room, inspired by the colonial opulence of Raffles Hotel in Singapore, is smart without being cold. It’s a fitting tribute to the great Crystal Palace, the people’s palace, for this is a place we’d gladly call our local.Time Out London Issue 1999: December 11-17
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Time Out reviews restaurants anonymously and pays for meals. Of course, we cannot guarantee the accuracy or independence of user reviews.
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Details
- Westow Hill, Crystal Palace, SE19 1TX
- Area: Crystal Palace
- Tel: 8761 1175
- Website
- Book online
- Category: British
- Travel: Crystal Palace rail
- Times: Meals served 9.30am-4pm, 6pm-10pm Mon-Sat; noon-9pm Sun
- Price: Meal for two with wine and service: around £70.
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I can highly recommend the Exhibitions Rooms having been now on several occasions with both my boyfriend and mates, fantastic food, great friendly staff and really good value deals. Really good menu that’s reasonable with lots of choice that’s regularly changed with new items
Their Sunday roast is amazingly good value (under £9) and is one best Sunday roast I have ever had out, you know your going to get a good meal when they ask you how you’d like you roast beef done.
Steak night also brilliant, really good quality steak, lovely sauce and a glass of wine for a £10. Puddings also fantastic.
Forget the 5 start rating...give it a michelin star!!
My husband and I visited this restaurant on acount of this review and were very disappointed. The menu seems to have changed considerably since the review was written and now plays it very safe with a menu that wouldn't be out of place in a gasto-pub. one of the dishes we tried was excellent, but the others were all mediocre to bad (scallops served with a pile of virtually raw onions which did nothing fo the flavour of the scallops). we paid nearly 100 pounds for a meal (two courses and one bottle of wine - no puddings, coffees etc) and felt like the meal we had eaten wasn't worth it at all. overpriced and underwhelming. we on't be returning.
We have been several times and the food is always excellent. Have tried most things on the menu all of them good.I love the puddings. The Staff are friendly and efficient and you don't feel rushed.We tried 'Steak Night' this Tuesday which was fantastic value - steak, chips, salad and a glass of wine for £10.
We've been several times now since it opened and it hasn't disappointed yet! (Accompanying friends and family all agree) The food is delicious and the service friendly and reliable. Cocktails to die for in the bar downstairs to boot. My partner and I manage to stumble upon the special offer lunch menu the other day; two course for £10 which is an absolute bargain, and available on a Saturday which is a bonus. Off there tonight with a girlfriend so lets hope this happy, bordering sycophantic(! but I mean it, I'd say otherwise) review is not going to suddenly change, but the handful of times I've been had all been excellent - the exhibition rooms are a great addition to the CP restaurant scene!
After seeing your review I immediately booked for myself and my family to try this restaurant. Decor was interesting, service fine, food however was mediocre (starters tasteless and lamb extremely fatty)
We won't be rushing back!! Shame.
A great addition to Crystal Palace. Food, service and environment are all fantastic. The cocktail bar adds to the experience, making for a great night out.
the service is excellent and you feel that staff are bothered .
food is excellent and both people i have taken said it was one of the best meals they have had .
the puddings are especially good.
worth a trip,very friendly atmosphere.