One of London's better 36th-floor deals, Darwin Brasserie — located one level down from the very top of the so-called Walkie-Talkie (20 Fenchurch St) — not only provides stupendous and expansive views of London (from the heart of the City) but also offers food that is not only better than you'd expect, but also cheaper (especially if you consider this a theatrical experience, which it is). Rafael Viñoly's bulky building has come under fire by a helluva lot of peopl...
One of London's better 36th-floor deals, Darwin Brasserie — located one level down from the very top of the so-called Walkie-Talkie (20 Fenchurch St) — not only provides stupendous and expansive views of London (from the heart of the City) but also offers food that is not only better than you'd expect, but also cheaper (especially if you consider this a theatrical experience, which it is). Rafael Viñoly's bulky building has come under fire by a helluva lot of people, but it's not without its charms, notably its top three floors, featuring the Sky Garden (nice enough plantings), a bar and the Rhubarb-owned restaurants Darwin and Fenchurch. The latter sits at the apex, but it's pricier (fine dining) and doesn't offer the views afforded by an (albeit noisy) table at Darwin, whose name sprung from the garden concept spread across the top three floors. The not too big Darwin menu features an exemplary burger (with hot chunky/crispy chips), plus fish, gnocchi, steak, oysters, salad and more, and of a very good standard. Members of the public can visit the Sky Garden website to book free access to the 'garden' and its fabulous views, but anyone reserving a table at either of the restaurants automatically has the run of the place. Diners should allow time for getting through security on the ground floor. Opened 2015. Rhubarb also operate outlets inside the Royal Albert Hall and the Saatchi Gallery. Tube stations: Bank, Monument and Tower Hill.