My 100th review!!! I had to think long and hard on what to review to mark this occasion. It had to be pretty damn special, and The Table wins the spotlight for a number of reasons.
1. In July 2013, Yelp hosted an epic event: Yelp's Key to the Bankside, where 13 keys were hidden around southbank, with a chance to win a trip to Amsterdam. I found a key there, and won a generous champagne brunch for 4 at The Table (along with a tour of the garden where their fresh herbs and vegetables are sourced from). This was also home of the key that won me my trip to the 'Dam!
2. The servers at The Table are lovely. When I arrived at the Table to hunt for the key, I think only 1-2 workers knew of the contest that was going on. I was asking the servers if they've seen anything hidden around (they actually had no clue). But they were very accommodating in letting me lurk around the restaurant (I did order a tea and snack), and I was trying my best not to weird out their customers by trying to look under the tables / benches, etc. They even suggested for places for me to look that I might have missed. Low and behold, I eventually found the key, the servers were ecstatic, I was happy :)
3. Food is amazingly good, and the lunch/dinner menu changes often based on the fresh ingredients available. The brunch items are amazing, and luckily we sampled several things off the menu with the Yelp prize. We tried the corn fritters with poached egg, the table stack, a few bennies, and some waffles (chockywockydoodah and banoffee). We really wanted to try the mixed grill, but it was so popular that it was sold out by the time we ordered (around 11:45am!). Everything was delicious, and I really enjoyed the ham hock baked beans. The brindisa hot chocolate is pretty good too.
Their waffles - oh good God, their waffles are amazing. My favorite is the banoffee, but I'd have an affair with the waffles alone and eat them bare naked. Crispy on the outside, oh-so-fluffy on the inside. We ended up buying a waffle iron, and after trying numerous recipes, it still doesn't come anywhere close to the one at The Table. WHATS THE SECRET, DAMMIT?!
4. On my 3rd trip to The Table, I had breakfast with my cousin from Oz, whom I finally met after 23 years. Food is still great. We had a grand time, and he said it was one of the better meals he's had in London.
5. The Table Cafe believes in using sustainable resources where they can, and they do their part in several ways when it comes to sourcing ingredients, and using enviro-friendly products. However, one thing that REALLY sticks is that they actively support the local community by having fresh herbs and vegetables sourced from a community garden down the street, which is run by a charity that focuses on helping the homeless. St Mungo's focuses on doing what they can to help the homeless and those who are at risk, by housing them, helping and caring for them, and have preventative measures to keep these people off the street. Putting Down Roots is a gardening project aimed at supporting their clients, by providing the opportunity for them to gain skills, qualifications, and voluntary work through therapeutic gardening. The fresh vegetables were being given away to the public, but I believe The Table was the first company to step up and make a deal with them to be their regular supplier. Its a win-win situation: The Table supports the community; local fresh veggies are being used; the charity makes some revenue, which goes back to funding more community food growing spaces through London - and creates further opportunities to keep the homeless more engaged and off the street.
Amazing.
Thanks to The Table for having great food, and being such a strong supporter to the local community. You win.
More info here on The Table's values on sustainability and suppliers: http://thetablecafe.com/suppliers-and-sustainability
More info here on St Mungo's Putting Down Roots initiative: http://www.mungos.org/pdr read more