Drake & Morgan’s latest venture, The Fable in Farringdon, opened a month ago to considerable fanfares, and H&C News was pleased to visit last week and take an in-depth look at exactly what it presents.
It offers – a lot!
This is a considerable establishment: it may originally have been a dwelling house that dates back to the 15th Century, but it has certainly been transformed. The Fable is a spectacular venue – seen from the outside through shimmering floor-to-ceiling glass windows and lavishly decorated and furnished inside.
From a roll-top bath planted with meadow-fresh flowers to a wall lined with dusty, leather-bound books, every corner of The Fable is busy telling a story. It’s well worth taking the time to explore, since the three floors all have the ability to surprise: from the Library and the Never- Ending Story through to the Magic Kingdom and Enchanted Forest – with pieces handpicked from the best British designers, including House of Hackney wallpaper and Tom Dixon light fittings.
You can prop up the bar, sink into a book-lined booth, order food from one of the multi-tiered dining areas, enjoy the purpose-built mixology area, or relax in the sun on the al fresco terrace.
There’s also the dedicated Ever After gift shop curated by former Telegraph fashion editor Lulu Anderson; a section called Bottles & Blooms for tastings and take-away tipples; and a florist by Quintessentially that specialises in beautiful, bespoke bouquets.
No shortage of attractions, therefore!
And the food?
Guests can not only enjoy the surroundings, they can eat well too: the fresh, seasonal British menus cover breakfast, brunch, lunch, afternoon tea, dinner or late-night supper.
Already, local businesses have discovered the merits of the breakfast and brunch offerings, and it’s clear that business is also good at lunch and in the evening.
The flatbreads & sharing boards are ideal for groups to enjoy – plenty of taste as well as substance to enjoy after a few drinks. We decided to try out the ‘sharing’ dishes: the mushroom, pesto and goat’s cheese bruschetta was an excellent start, followed by peking duck flatbread, with the hoisin sauce adding warmth and spiciness.
And, though we’d heard that the burgers and steaks hit the spot, we then tested that great British ‘staple’ – fish and chips. Suffice to say that it went down a treat: the tasty, crisp beer batter particularly impressed.
Looking around at the other diners happily tucking into their diverse choices, it was evident that The Fable can successfully deliver the wide range of dishes featured on its menu. Very little was being left on plates!
The hospitality
The Fable has already established itself and attracts the considerable number of customers that such a substantial venue – it can seat over 400, or 1,000 standing – requires as a business.
And it’s an attractive venue for its facilities, décor, and extensive range of food and drinks to suit most occasions, palates or moods, as well as the relaxed atmosphere which both drinking and dining guests visibly enjoy.
London has many attractive venues, but what particularly impresses at The Fable is the quality of the hospitality and, in particular, the smart, friendly, efficient staff that are on hand at all times. It’s not easy to recruit and build a team that delivers such high service and that, at the end of a long day, continues to smile and maintain standards.
Drake & Morgan and the team are to be congratulated on what they have achieved in such a short period at The Fable, which looks set for a busy summer and enduring success.
The Fable, 52 Holborn Viaduct, London, EC1A 2FD
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