What's the draw
Sitting at Galley's luxuriant marble bar, drinking wine and eating sharing plates of artfully prepared British seafood feels like an experience reserved for a special occasion. But with a neighbourhood location – and prices – this restaurant is a genuinely affordable midweek indulgence.
What to drink
Galley's is a cocktail menu that feels like it's been crafted and tempered. Most are available for £9.50, such as the Galley Boulevard – a boulevardier made with Buffalo Trace Bourbon, Cynar liqueur, Campari and a light kick of Kahlua. Our guest kicked back with a glass of English winemaker Chapel Down's Blanc de Blancs sparkling.
What to eat
The brains behind Galley's food is Marcel Grzyb, formerly head chef at Randall & Aubin, so you're in for seafood prepared with a light touch. We loved Cornish crab with smoked aioli, octopus and chorizo (always a favourite combination) grilled and served simply with bean purée, and pan-fried seabass served in a punchy garlic butter with gorgeous nibs of gnocchi and peas. It's not all fish, though – crunchy, moreish cheese and ham croquettes with harissa mayo make a great appetiser if you're not in the mood for seafood, as does the 10oz sirloin on the bone.
105-106 Upper Street, N1 1QN; galleylondon.co.uk
