En Voyage - Issue #8

Travel
IMAGE COURTESY OF BOUNCE FARRINGDON IMAGE COURTESY OF THE SCHOOLHOUSE
From back in time to back to school now as we
move on to The Schoolhouse on St John’s Hill.
This new school-themed restaurant and bar is
located in the heart of Battersea and is sure to
take you for a walk down memory lane with its
nostalgic décor complete with lockers, books,
desks and even school photos on the wall. You
might even catch a glimpse of a few throwback
toys such as Trolls and a Furby or two!
Staff are dressed in school uniforms, meals
are served on canteen trays and there’s even
a Tuck Shop of lighter snacks to enjoy. You
can treat yourself to science-inspired cocktails
served in beaker glasses or one of the 90+
craft beers on offer. We don’t remember
those being on the menu at school!
With lessons comes break and time to let off
a little steam. Bounce Farringdon (with a sister
establishment on Old Street) is a table-tennis
themed restaurant where wood-fired pizza
and classic cocktails meet eclectic music and
ping pong. Settle in with a group of friends and
enjoy an evening of table tennis tournaments
and competitive banter in quirky surroundings
whilst chowing down on 12” stone-baked pizza.
There’s even a guy who comes around and
picks up all the ping pong balls while you play.
IMAGE COURTESY OF AERONAUT
By now I’m sure you can tell we at En Voyage
enjoy our themed restaurants….and another
option is Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. where
food is the hero and meals are enjoyed in a
Forrest Gump get-up. This Piccadilly-based
South American seafood restaurant plays up
to the film’s main characters and locations
and, as Bubba would say, it’s all about the
shrimp (any way you like it). But don’t worry if
you’re not the biggest crustacean fan, try the
slow-roasted ribs instead, they’re delicious.
In amongst the cinematic tributes and deep
south décor sits a licence plate-style sign at
the centre of each table saying, ‘Run Forrest,
Run’ and you simply flip it to ‘Stop Forrest,
Stop’ when you need a server’s attention.
If you need entertainment in its true form
look no further than Aeronaut on Acton High
Street. It’s a west end pub where you can
savour pub grub and drinks with a side serving
of cabaret performances and circus acts.
And just in case we haven’t covered all
the bases, a final suggestion for an unusual
experience is Dans le Noir restaurant in
Clerkenwell where you have your entire dining
experience in complete darkness. Served by blind
waiters, the meal itself challenges your senses
at the same time as educating your palate.
So next time you’re in the capital and
looking for something to eat, don’t just
take a stab in the dark – pick somewhere
that’s an experience not just a meal.
40 En Voyage | Aurigny’s Magazine