Art Yard Bar & Kitchen - Southbank, London

Though there are many strong entries in the Bankside food and beverage scene, as yet it's a bit of an untapped area. With a bevy of London's best museums, theatres and galleries, the Bankside Hotel is looking to introduce some hip DNA into the south of the river scene. Art Yard Bar & Kitchen is its flagship all-day eatery, importing the talents of chef Lee Streeton of 45 Jermyn to helm the kitchens. 

As one might deduce from its name, Art Yard is easy on the eyes. The entire dining room is underpinned by a tessellated monochrome design scheme, which looks as if a chess board was spliced with a backgammon set, which covers the floor and some of the walls. It's also festooned with an inordinate amount of black pendant stage lights and their attendant power lines, imbuing the space with a dynamic ambience. The walls are covered in slatted wooden wall panels and modern art. In short, it's a funky, engaging space. 

Mr Streeton brings a dab hand to the kitchens, utilising fresh British produce with a certain European flair. Starters were simple and delicious, particularly burrata with pachino tomatoes, black olives and warm sourdough, as well as courgette tempura with lemon aioli. Pan fried cod was perfectly cooked with broad bean on a bed of hummus, whilst wood-fired chicken with olives and za'atar yoghurt was perfectly seasoned with sumac. We wrapped up the meal with a chocolate mousse slice with mint ice cream and an incredible pistachio crème brûlée with blackcurrant sorbet and a crisp biscuit- absolutely delicious balance of flavours and beautifully presented.

Art Yard does Southbank proud. Well worth a detour if you're south of the Thames.