When I was invited to STEM + STEM, my first thought was “Oooh a restaurant and a florist! Our audience will like that!” — but, while I was obviously looking forward to trying it out, I didn’t expect to love it quite so much myself.
Tucked away down a bustling alley, a stone’s throw from Mansion House tube station and just along from that view of St Paul’s, STEM + STEM is in a stunning spot opposite St Mary Aldermary, a beautiful gothic church. It’s an area of the City I haven’t spent a lot of time in, but I fear I’ve been missing out on more gems like this one.
Inside, you’re greeted by a stunning display of blooms, with beautiful bouquets available to purchase right there and then. But this is merely a glimpse into the mastery of florist and co-founder Dee Reid, who also designs arrangements for weddings and events. She also hosts workshops at the restaurant, which you can read more about on their website.
The space isn’t massive, but it’s all the better for it. It has the buzz of a cosy wine bar, but once the food comes out you soon realise this place is also pretty serious about its fodder.
We started with some small plates, beautiful to taste and to look at: from cured sardines that genuinely looked like a work of art, to an understated crispy cabbage dish with a celeriac purée. They all paired incredibly with a glass of Brut Contadino from Italy’s Campania region, a lightly sparkling wine that was much richer in colour than the wines I’d usually go for, but immediately scribbled down the name of to remember for next time.
For mains, we shared a gorgeous pan-fried hake in a moreish Champagne sauce (with an obligatory portion of fries to help wipe the plate clean), and guinea fowl, which I’d never tried before and would definitely try again. Desserts were a combo of choc and cheese: a wonderful chocolate ganache served with blood orange and coffee ice cream, followed by a mini cheese board featuring a Baron Bigod (the best!) and a mildish blue goat’s cheese with quince jelly. Washed down with a lovely Port, of course. How else?
Of the things we didn’t get to try, I’ve heard great things about their British and Irish Isles oysters – which I can only imagine go down swimmingly with a glass of Champagne. Their offerings change with the seasons, so you can enjoy something different each time you visit. Both a blessing and a curse I suppose, because who knows if I’ll ever get to have that hake again?
We felt so welcome here, like we were visiting friends for tea rather than going out for a fine dinner, and it really made the experience one to remember. Joy, our waitress, knew my taste buds better than I know them myself. And Xavier, manager and Sommelier extraordinaire, had us swooning over wine (and his wit). I truly can’t speak highly enough of the team at STEM + STEM.
Excuse me for a second while I just share my unfiltered excitement about this place: STEM + STEM is just really! bloody! good! The staff were so cool and so funny, the food was a wonderful surprise (in every sense of the word), the wine was perfection, and the vibe was just glorious. 10/10, no notes. My only regret is not bringing a bunch of Dee’s beautiful flowers home with me. Oh well, next time.
You’ll find STEM + STEM at 12 Bow Lane, EC4M 9AL. Nearest station is Mansion House. Closed weekends.
Also published on Medium.
