Sniffy peers’ restaurant proves a hit with public

HOUSE of Lords Chairman of Committees John Sewel is regularly berated by his fellow peers about the standard of food on offer at their heavily subsidised bars and restaurants.

The more memorable gripes about the outlets — which were funded by the taxpayer to the tune of almost £2 million in 2014 — include hake being ‘unadorned’, ‘heavy’ yoghurt, a preponderance of root vegetables and ‘flimsy’ menus.

But Lord Sewel can now point out that the general public would be only too happy to eat there.

The Peers’ Dining Room was opened to lunch bookings from the great unwashed for 18 days during the election and the scheme has been a roaring success. Some 1,537 guests were served during the period, paying £35 per head for a three-course menu and coffee, and

generating £77,000 for the House. Typical dishes on the lunch menu included pressed game terrine with baby leek and dandelion salad; slow-cooked ox cheek with Irish champ mash, heritage carrots, salsa verde and jus; and potted confit of sea trout and crab. The waiting list to get a table was 400 strong.

Unlike peers, who resent prices such as £10 for ‘prawn and lobster meat folded into Avugar caviar’, the diners expressed surprise that the exclusive venue was ‘such excellent value for money’. Now the Lords authorities are planning another three-week opening during the autumn recess.

This time they propose charging £37.50 per person without coffee and they have also realised they can ask rather more than the usual bargain basement rates for the booze.

The taxpayer subsidy for the eight bars and restaurants in the Upper House cost £1.95 million last year — a £50,000 increase on 2013.

That’s how to live like a lord.