Prism

Editor's note - Prism closed in early 2013. In November 2013 the premises will be taken over by a restaurant called Steam and Rye.

A striking dining room with towering pillars and enough marble to satisfy a 3^rd world dictator, Prism takes full advantage of its ex-bank location. There is a long bar on one side of the dining room, and a separate downstairs bar that is quite lively, with music playing. Service was very capable – dishes arrive at the correct person (no “now who ordered the…”), bread and wine is topped up well, and there were no long delays. 

On my last visit I started with a dish of pan-fried tiger prawns that were carefully timed, served with a mound of carefully cooked basmati rice and a gently spicy sauce of ginger and garlic, coconut and coriander. This was very good indeed (16/20 easily). For man course I had sea bass, fresh and well cooked, served with a simple but effective Jerusalem artichoke puree (15/20). On the side I ordeed some excellent chips, nicely salted. For dessert, an apple tart had good pastry and nicely cooked filling (15/20). Coffee was good quality. The wine list is extensive, with plenty of New World choices. Try perhaps the Petaluma Riesling or a bottle of the wonderful Cigare Volant from Bonny Doon in California.