Karine Laudort Located amongst the hustle and bustle of Liverpool Street, the area notorious for being the home of the Stock Exchange and numerous skyscrapers is the traditional tavern named Woodin’s Shades. Nestled in between Liverpool Street station and Spitalfields market, Woodin’s Shades is a unique pub that combines the conventional pub experience with its individual sense of character from the enriching history behind it.
Serving up the best craft tipples from local traders; From an extensive selection of the finest gins, whiskies and cask ales. If you are looking to indulge in some delightful classic pub food and sit within the chronicled saloon with such a marvelling history behind it, Woodin’s Shades is where you should be!
Known for being the meet-up spot for the traders from Petticoat lane, Woodin’s Shades’ dark exterior is what leaves passersby to truly wonder what is behind those famed doors. Undoubtedly, the exterior is what left me wanting to find out more- With one gaze, it looks like a typical English pub and at a second glance, you start to envision what it was like back in the Victorian epoch.
As I took my first step in, I received an amiable welcome from the staff and a warm atmosphere which was certainly inviting. From the multiple chandeliers suspended from the ceiling to the historic paintings placed along the walls, the tavern isn’t just a tavern- It’s a step back in history, despite it undergoing a 3-week refurbishment at the start of the year.
The atmosphere is super bright and everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves; Despite the unusual dark decor, the space is beautifully opened up by the surrounding windows and the several extraordinary artworks hung upon the walls.
To kickstart my visit, I started off with a classic Coca Cola garnished with lemon and my friend opted for the same but also requested a glass of Sauvignon Blanc, ready for the meal ahead of us.
The menu was extensive; Offering some conventional pub classics like Calamari, Fish pie and grilled seabass, there was also a tasty selection of distinctive dishes like their Nourish bowl, which is one of their alternatives for vegans. Though it’s awesome they have a few dishes suitable for vegans and vegetarians, I hope to see an improved menu with a more substantial selection for vegans and veggies in the future!
Nevertheless, after pondering through the menu, myself and my guest decided to get some delicious grum ordered.
For starters, my friend and I decided to go for their lightly dusted calamari which is accompanied by a scrumptious lemon aioli dip. I was pleasantly surprised with the calamari- Sometimes restaurants overcook the squid but these were perfect! With both the satisfying crunch of the fried outer layer to the chewy squid rings inside, the starter definitely left us wanting more.
Following on, for our mains, I ordered the sweet potato and goat’s cheese pie that comes well presented with sides of mashed potato, steamed greens and glazed Chantenay
carrots. On the other hand, my friend ordered their 10oz Ribeye steak which definitely looked like an appetizing choice.
My sweet potato and goat’s cheese pie was topped with a delicious pumpkin seed and herb crumb which accompanied the sweet potato gorgeously. The filling of the pie was great but included red peppers. Although peppers, in general, are not my favourite, they definitely brought something different to the flavour. The potato gave a mild flavour to the pie and the goat’s cheese was tangy; a very yummy combination. As for the sides, the steamed greens and glazed carrots were a great add-on to the pie.
Lastly, my guest and I ordered dessert- I went for their sticky toffee pudding and my friend opted for their gooey Belgian chocolate brownie which both came with vanilla pod ice cream. It was certainly a great way to conclude our visit to the Woodin Shades as the pudding was incredible. The gooey and sweetness of the sticky toffee pudding paired amazingly with the cold vanilla pod ice cream and was such a perfect way to conclude our visit to Woodin Shades.
Overall, our visit to Woodin’s Shades was great. Both the casual atmosphere and the dining experience were awesome and it was very interesting learning about the history behind the pub. The staff were amiable and very helpful when we had questions about the menu! For pub food, the price point for some of the dishes was a little on the high side. However, with the selections of different dishes they had to offer, I feel this was justifiable. If you are ever in or around Spitalfields and Liverpool Street Station, I would recommend you pop into Woodin Shades to experience it for yourself!
I thoroughly enjoyed my visit to the Woodin’s Shades and would love to go back there again!
Woodin’s Shades Address: 212 Bishopsgate, Greater, London EC2M 4PT
Menu: www.nicholsonpubs.co.uk/thewoodinshadesbishopsgate/
Phone: 020 72747 4324
