Review: Scott’s Richmond in winter
Review: Scott’s Richmond in winter
Feeling festive by the Thames
It’s already looking a lot like Christmas at Scott’s on Richmond’s riverside. On a weeknight visit at the beginning of November, the autumn leaves had barely dropped but already the sparkling Christmas trees were up, outside and inside, too. The restaurant is gearing up for its Alpine Season, when the terrace transforms into a festive hideaway of fairy lights and heaters. Inside, jazz plays softly in the background, and with opulent décor and twinkling decorations, it feels like stepping onto the set of a festive film. It’s quite delightful.
As the younger sister of the iconic Mayfair original (or perhaps more accurately, its great-great-aunt, given the storied ancestor dates back to 1851 and this one opened in 2022), the focus here is firmly on seafood, a weighty tome of a wine list, and impeccably set tables.
The menu brims with classic fish dishes and impressive plates of Fruits de Mer, but also draws inspiration from around the world. I began with the tempura prawns – a generous portion, the batter feather-light around plump, perfectly cooked flesh. Incredible. My guest chose the baked spiced crab, vast, rich, and deeply satisfying.
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To navigate the mammoth wine list, we asked the sommelier for a pairing for our mains: Dover sole, and brill from the daily specials. A wonderful Pouilly-Fuissé (Domaine Michel Chavet & Fils) proved an elegant match, particularly complementing the buttery sauce of the brill.
Revelatory was the side dish of sprouts (we were getting into the Christmas spirit) that had been fried with kimchi and were deliciously caramelised. I beg any sprout-haters to give it a try.
Too full really for dessert, but in the name of research (you’re welcome), we shared a mango and passionfruit cheesecake. It was everything you’d want: a crisp base with a hint of salt, light cheese, and a refreshing fruit topping just on the right side of tart.
We left talking about when we’d return over Christmas, bringing family and friends. It’s not cheap but for the festive season, this is the perfect excuse for a celebratory dinner in beautiful surroundings. There’s also a Christmas menu, with the likes of pork, partridge and pistachio terrine, roast Devonshire chicken with sage and onion stuffed thigh and, we hope, more sprouts.
