Wright Brothers Oyster & Porter House
Borough Market was highly recommended by all sorts of food guides and food blogs with strong emphasis to go on a Saturday. So we went there immediately after dropping off our suitcases in the hotel. More about the market and the hotel later, but while researching about the market, I came across this little bar serving nothing but seafood. Naturally, I had to go so I booked a place for two for lunch.
It was such a good albeit expensive decision. Living in Switzerland, I’m deprived of my favourite seafood and whenever we are near the sea, I must find good seafood restaurant to sate my craving, cost be damned.
Entering a rather cramped but charmingly quaint quarter with brick walls, wrought iron decorations juxtaposed with modern furniture, the room seemed casual and cozy. We were ushered to our table on the bar near the cooking section. I specifically requested for a window table (there was no such thing, given their room configuration) and they did put me under the skylight which was excellent for my photographs.
With two glasses of white wine on hand, we skimmed the menu which was all written on the blackboards. We settled for 1.5 dozen of oysters to share (I know… hideous), a crab and lobster soup in coconut milk and coriander and razor clam mariniere for my husband and a dressed crab for me.
I was initially worried that I picked the wrong place: a quiet seafood restaurant may mean holiday spent in the hotel due to upset stomach but soon after twelve, the place was packed. I was glad for our quiet corner near the kitchen. The cooks were friendly, too: our neighbours chatted away with them about local and faraway food and holidays. One gave me a full-score when I smugly pointed to my husband what potted shrimp looked like. Not a place to go if you were looking for intimate and private dining experience but I love such exchanges.
They have excellent selection of oysters, French and British, by half or a dozen. They were all fresh, juicy, and flavourful. I prefer the flatter, mineral rock oysters while my husband raved over the plumper, sweeter native oyster, one which I cannot remember the name but touted to be on the table for the first time in thirty years.
He devoured his soup which, I suspect, is derived from some Thai repertoire: the flavours were balanced, the spices subtle, and the coconut milk smooth. He loved his razor clams too which he proclaimed to be very fresh and therefore sweet. My dressed crab was a result of curiosity, as I often stare at a picture of one in my cookbook, and therefore I didn’t mind it when it tasted rather rubbery and dry. Besides, I was enjoying the oyster too much which was excellent with my glass of Sauvignon Blanc.
Had I had the stomach space, I’d have proceed with their langoustine or grilled lobster. For the next visit, I’d also wish for their other unusual offerings such as sea-urchin roe, prawns, etc which were unfortunately were not on the menu that day. I believe, unless something more exciting comes about, Wright Brothers will be our staple in London. I love the food and the atmosphere and for such place, eating cheap and cheerful chinese food in Chinatown for the rest of the trip is worth the trouble.
Wright Brothers Oyster & Porter House
11 stoney street
london, SE1 9AD, United Kingdom
+44 20 7403 9554
