Promising "the feel of Mayfair but with Romford prices", the gastropub and lounge bar in South Street has certainly filled a gap in the market for luxury dining. After Ivy Tree impressed MP Andrew Rosindell and Havering councillors such as Cllr David Taylor at its "grand opening" last week , the Recorder went to see what all the hype was about. The feel of a glitzy speakeasy (Image: Charlotte Anderson) The welcome from staff was professional yet friendly, and I was shown to a booth at the back, which looked more like it belonged in a 1920s speakeasy than a Romford restaurant.
All around me was glitz and glam: gilt-edged tables and chairs, neon signs, disco balls and red trees climbing the walls. I definitely felt underdressed. READ MORE: Ivy Tree, South Street, Romford: First photos of gastropub As an appetiser, I ordered goat's cheese and mozzarella arancini - which the menu describes as including walnut and sultanas, and being served with spicy tomato sauce and a fresh truffle mayo.
The mystery dish (Image: Charlotte Anderson) However, what I was served was an entirely different dish (admittedly I did not realise this until later). The unknown starter, which I now cannot find on the menu, was some sort of breaded cheese on a bed of avocado, with a blue crisp on top and what appeared to be caviar. It was creamy, rich and delicious - but remains a mystery.
The broccoli burger impressed (Image: Charlotte Anderson) As a pescatarian, most of the main dishes from the grill were o.
