Gough’s on Gough

This is the first restaurant from furniture designer Timothy Oulton and, naturally, all the décor has been designed and created by the man himself. The spectacular frontage of Gough’s on Gough alerts you to the fact that a meal here is going to be a special experience. Where else are you greeted by a dummy of a deep sea diver in full diving suit and bell helmet, submerged in a massive tank of water and surrounded by live fish?

A gleaming golden spiral staircase takes you up to the main dining and lounge area where you can either enjoy cocktails at the bar or sip an aperitif on a plush, vintage leather sofa before being shown to your table. The décor, lighting and atmosphere all lend themselves to a high-class night out, subtle and stylish rather than over-the-top gimmicky, though the tables are, in some cases, rather close together.

British cuisine hasn’t always enjoyed a reputation for being amongst the world’s finest. But at Gough’s on Gough, British food and British ingredients are championed, cooked, and presented in such a way as to completely annul all the stereotypes.

Head Chef Arron Rhodes, a native Brit, chose to fuse the best of modern British cuisine with an element of Asian purism to create dishes like sautéed girolle mushroom, smoked portobello puree, pine tree cream and pickled yams, and seared tenderloin and slow-braised beef shin, celeriac puree, English ale sauce and pearl barley. The tasting menu was an absolute delight from start to finish and the sommelier kept things intellectually stimulating by explaining his choice of wine and why it complements each dish.

VERDICT

Gough’s on Gough manages to effortlessly blend fine dining with a stylish, yet relaxed, atmosphere. Knowledgeable, attentive, and friendly waiters are happy to talk you through the dishes and wines being served and the ambience, lighting, and décor all add up to a dining experience that will leave you feeling pampered and satisfied. Stuart Barker