The Crypt of St Etheldreda's

General information

It’s well worth heading off the beaten track to discover The Bleeding Heart Restaurant, Bistro and Tavern, all tucked away around the historic, cobblestoned Bleeding Heart Yard. Legend has it that Lady Elizabeth Hatton, the toast of 17th-century London society, was found murdered in this spot.

The Restaurant offers modern French cuisine, faultless service and an award-winning international wine list in a very inviting ambience, for everything from business lunches to romantic dinners for two – it was in fact voted the most romantic restaurant in the City by The Times. Should you dine in the Restaurant, you might like to begin with the soupe du jour or the ballotine of foie gras accompanied by French beans and artichoke, dried fruits and toasted hazelnut brioche, followed by haunch of Yorkshire venison with juniper-braised venison cheeks and elderberry sauce. Alternatively, plump for an assiette of suckling pig and crackling with apricot and sage faggots – delicious. The raspberry macaron heart and the white chocolate marquise dome will round off your meal in style.

The friendly Bistro with its high ceiling and high windows and striking 19th-century French wine posters is the perfect place for an informal business lunch with colleagues or dinner among friends. Certainly, the Bistro’s outdoor terrace, shaded by a huge red awning, seems far away from the streets of Farringdon. The menu is packed with French bistro classics ranging from escargots, omelettes, coq au vin and steak frites to breast of duck and shank of lamb, plus a great-value list of 450 wines by the bottle.

The Bleeding Heart Tavern is a traditional neighbourhood bar dating back to 1746, located just off Greville Street, which offers real ale from Adnams and a light lunchtime menu for those pressed for time. Downstairs, the Tavern dining room boasts an open rotisserie and grill, and provides a warm and comforting setting in which to enjoy free-range organic British meat, game and poultry. The Tavern is also open for breakfast, serving home-baked pastries and the ever-popular full English breakfast – plus, for those so inclined, a glass of Laurent Perrier Champagne or Buck’s Fizz.

The Crypt at adjoining Ely Place and a selection of charming and atmospheric private rooms are also available for hire.