Having long been a fan of the St James original Green’s restaurant, I was looking forward to lunch with an old friend at The City’s sister branch.

The restaurant sits on the first floor and we were fortunate enough to be seated in a booth overlooking the Bank of England – be sure to request these if booking in advance.

Green’s restaurant is quiet and suits the crowd – think bankers, but an older crowd. This is a sophisticated restaurant, and the menu similarly doesn’t try to reinvent the wheel, and all your most comforting British favourites are there.

My starter of baked scallops with cauliflower purée and pancetta was delicious and heart-warming, the sage butter perfectly rich, and three large scallops made it a substantial plate but impossible not to finish. My guest enjoyed a meaty game terrine with a seasonal pea shoot salad, which was also very good.

Mains followed this pattern with incredibly generous portions well cooked with excellent, simple flavours and good quality ingredients highlighted in the cuts on offer.

Veal escalope was succulent and the morel sauce buttery, salty and the perfect accompaniment. It rather paled into comparison when the Rib Eye Chop arrived at the table though.

The portion was huge, and rich marbling fat through it meant it was certainly a special occasion dish. I couldn’t imagine going back to the office after this lunch – it is most definitely the start of a very leisurely Friday afternoon.

All of the food at Green’s restaurant was well presented, and difficult to fault in its category. This is a seriously well-polished restaurant and perfect for the crowd it continues to attract every day. Not one for a youngster, but it’s a relief to book into a restaurant with no surprises, no queues and simple, excellent quality produce and service.

Address: 14 Cornhill, London, EC3V 3ND

Phone: 020 7220 6300

Read our guide to the best restaurants in Shoreditch.

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