Lunch on the Prince Regent Canal

***This was our last outing in Feb 2020 prior to the first lock down in March that same year, back then social distancing was a phrase yet to be coined, as such, there's no reference to it in the blog post, though we are very sure that the restaurant mentioned is adhering to all standards necessary today, in fact we can't wait to go back there and find out!***

When it comes to finding new places to eat in London there's no shortage of options but when it comes to new experiences, you can end up verging on the edge of ridiculousness in the quest for something new.  (A six course meal 30ft above ground? Dining in pitch darkness?)  So stumbling across the London Shell Co. when looking for something different for the husband's 40th birthday was pleasantly surprising.  Offering a three hour 'cruise' from Paddington all the way up to Camden Lock and back while feasting on a five course seafood lunch and wine pairing at very reasonable (for central London) prices, the team that run the show on the Prince Regent are really on to something. From the welcome drink, the quirky and laugh out loud safety briefing "if we do sink, pick up your glassware and as much booze as you can carry and wade through the three foot of water to the canal side for a massive p*ss- up" and the excellent fine-dining food, this is an all star performance from an attentive crew. Combine the month of February with the lamentable British weather and who knows what the elements with throw at you... we went from glorious sunshine to hail and snow in the time it took the boat to pass through the Maida Hill tunnel, but this just made for a more interesting experience. We cuddled up under a blanket at the stern of the canal boat as we passed through Little Venice then ate dessert as the sun shone through one of the skylights. Starting with 'fish and chips' we shared between us shoe string fries and beer battered sardines paired with an excellent sparkling Cuvee Rosado from Penedes Spain which cut through the unctuous oiliness of the sardines perfectly.

Followed by another sharing dish of torched mackerel with blood orange and monk's beard seaweed, tossed in a beautifully light rapeseed dressing that was so good we asked for extra bread to mop it up with... and spotting this, so did another three tables.

Mains of smoked haddock, saffron potatoes with curried cauliflower velouté then Cornish cod salt baked Roscoff onions on Jerusalem artichoke puree and chicken jus were elegant but informal and paired excellently by our host Steph with Gaglioppo Rosato from Calabria and a Tuscan Scopeto Vermentino respectively.

We finished with seasonal rhubarb, vanilla infused fromage frais and shortbread before going the whole hog for a supplemental cheese course (£6) of creamy Beauvale and Medjool dates paired with a glass of rich cider brandy Somerset Pomona (£6). For an afternoon out in London with a 5 course lunch and wine flight plus extra cheese courses coming in at £220 for both of us, this isn't cheap but it is very good value.  Bear in mind that you are going to tick off a number of London sites at the same time like the African wild dogs and warthogs of London Zoo as well as the Spirited Away-like floating Feng Shang restaurant, plus all of the hustle and bustle that you'd expect passing through Camden and the rest of the Regent canal, it is a very different way to enjoy a cracking lunch in London.

@londonshellco