What To Order Across The Ivy Collection
The Classics
The original Ivy has kept this smash hit on the menu for years, and with good reason. Now it’s available across the entire collection.
The Ivy’s Shepherd's Pie: Slow-braised lamb shoulder with beef and Wookey Hole cheddar potato mash; £19.50.
The Ivy Head Chef Gary Lee says: “The shepherd’s pie is famous. Thousands of Ivy shepherd’s pies have passed the lips of thesps and celebs down the decades. It is nursery food par excellence. The Ivy’s version uses minced lamb and beef, making it a hybrid of shepherd’s and cottage pies. The ingredients render it rich and deeply satisfying.”
SL says: This was the very first dish we tried when we visited The Ivy’s debut offshoot in Covent Garden. There’s a reason it’s still on the menu – it’s a perfect example of comfort food. You can’t go wrong with cheese-topped mash served in a refined way. Creamed spinach, toasted pine nuts and Gran Moravia makes a great accompaniment.
Light Bites
If you’re looking for a lighter option, these three dishes have the SheerLuxe seal of approval.
Crispy Duck Salad: Warm crispy duck with five-spice dressing, toasted cashews, watermelon, beansprouts, coriander and ginger; £7.95.
Sean Burbridge, executive chef for The Ivy Collection says: “This is one of our bestselling starters – pulled crispy duck with an Asian sweet, salty and spicy sauce, with watermelon to add freshness. It’s a classic flavour combination which never fails to please our customers.”
SL says: Come summer, the freshness of the watermelon in this dish always makes us feel we’re abroad. But the crispy duck is the rightful star of the show – the flavour is a knockout.
Grilled Chicken Salad: Quinoa salad with avocado and kohlrabi, pomegranate, toasted seeds, coriander, yoghurt, ginger and lime dressing; £13.50
Sean says: “This is a great summer dish. It is light and flavoursome, yet still a generous portion.”
SL says: This is a hands-down favourite in the SheerLuxe office. Healthy and delicious, it’s a surprisingly filling plate and thanks to the dressing, big on flavour. We always pair it with a side of truffle and parmesan chips - these alone are worth a visit.
Crushed Avocado On Gluten-Free Toast: Avocado, lime and coriander with sunflower, pumpkin, linseed and pomegranate on dark caraway toast; £7.25
SL says: This perennial millennial favourite gets an even healthier kick here with the addition of gluten-free caraway toast and a generous sprinkling of seeds. The jewel-like pomegranate seeds add sweetness and colour.
Seafood Specials
The group is famous for its fish dishes, but away from its renowned whole grilled lobster, and fish and chips, these two are options we return to again and again.
Prawn Cocktail: Prawns, baby gem, avocado, cherry tomatoes and Marie Rose sauce; £9.75.
Sean says: “This is a British classic. There is always a time and a place for a prawn cocktail.”
SL says: Sean’s right, this is a true classic, but served in an ultra-refined way. There’s a reason this retro dish is still around today, and The Ivy Collection’s version makes a great starter or main course when paired with thick-cut chips.
Tuna Carpaccio: Yellowfin tuna with tomato, watermelon, ponzu dressing, miso mayo and sesame; £9.95.
Sean says: “The combination of the earthy miso, powerful citrus, and sweet and sour flavours, goes beautifully with the light and delicate slices of yellowfin tuna.”
SL says: This dish is so light – it makes the perfect starter if, like us, you’re keen to opt for three courses. The pretty pink hues of the tuna and watermelon make it an appealing summer dish, too.
There are a lot of contenders on The Ivy Collection’s breakfast menu, but it’s the group’s selection of Benedicts that consistently tops the list of regulars’ favourites.
Breakfast Dishes
Eggs Benedict: Pulled honey-roast ham on toasted English muffins, two poached hen’s eggs with hollandaise sauce and watercress; £8.50
Sean says: “Eggs Benedict is our classic go-to breakfast and brunch dish. Our version features toasted muffins with pulled ham, poached hen’s eggs and rich hollandaise sauce. It’s hard to go wrong with this and a Bloody Mary on the weekend.”
SL says: It’s the salty hit of honey-roast ham that makes this particular egg-based dish a winner. Pair with a Power Up juice (wheatgrass, pineapple, papaya, orange) for the ultimate start to the day.
Lobster Benedict: Chopped lobster, asparagus and two poached hen’s eggs on toasted brioche with hollandaise sauce; £16.95
SL says: Is there a more indulgent way to kick-start the weekend than ordering lobster? Pair it with spring-fresh asparagus, sweet brioche and creamy hollandaise sauce and you’ve got yourself a dreamy combination.
Avocado and Spinach Benedict: Avocado, raw baby spinach, two poached hen’s eggs on toasted English muffins, hollandaise sauce and sesame, with thick-cut chips; £10.95
SL says: Vegetarians, or those wanting to add a hit of greens to their breakfast, should opt for this supercharged Benedict. We love the fact this one comes with thick-cut chips on the side – perhaps not so virtuous after all.
Hangover Helpers
You might be paying a visit on a Saturday or Sunday after a big one the night before. Order any (or all) of these three, and chances are you’ll be right in no time.
Salmon & Smoked Haddock Fishcake: Crushed pea and herb sauce with a soft poached hen’s egg and baby watercress; £13.50
Sean says: “This is a great dish – flavoursome and hearty. It’s also especially good if you’re after a quick working lunch.”
SL says: Okay, you might be craving a greasy burger, but trust us, this omega-rich fishcake will soak up all that booze perfectly and the poached egg will help to ease any nausea. It tastes incredible too.
Chocolate Bombe: Melting chocolate bombe with a vanilla ice cream and honeycomb centre with hot salted caramel sauce; £8.50.
Sean says: “The chocolate bombe tastes great and our guests really enjoy the theatre surrounding the dish, as the servers pour the sauce over the pudding, and it melts.”
SL says: For some, the key to getting over a hangover is salt, salt, salt. But for others, only a sugar hit will do. This beauty will melt your hangover away as easily as the hot caramel sauce over ice cream.
Thirst Quenchers
The Ivy Bloody Mary: Wyborowa vodka, homemade spice mix and tomato juice; £8
SL says: Let’s be real: there’s only one way to truly kick a hangover, and that’s with a little hair of the dog. This classic headache soother is made with top-quality vodka meaning it’ll slip down a treat. Best stick with one or two, max.
Salted Caramel Espresso Martini: Wyborowa vodka, Beppe Tosolini liqueur, freshly pulled espresso and salted caramel syrup; £8
SL says: Is there anything not vastly improved by an injection of salted caramel? If so, we can’t think of it. This Ivy twist on the classic espresso martini is the perfect post-meal pick-me-up – and worth forgoing dessert over.
Lavender Lady: Beefeater gin, orange blossom, peach pulp, Briottet Crème de Peche, fresh lavender and agave; £8
SL says: One of the collection’s signature sips, the Lavender Lady deftly mixes orange blossom and lavender notes with a doubly fruity peach flavour. The result is a delicately balanced drink, served in an intricate coupe glass. A flawless, floral aperitif.
Super Sides
Zucchini Fritti: Crispy courgette fries with lemon, chilli and mint yoghurt; £5.75
SL says: An Italian twist on chips, this artfully tangled mass of courgette is almost healthy. Crisp to perfection, the addition of lemon, chilli and mint yoghurt elevates the dish for summer.
Baked Sweet Potato: Harissa yoghurt, mint and coriander dressing; £3.75
SL says: This substantial side dish is definitely designed to be shared between two. The baked sweet potato – soft and caramelised at the sides – is complemented by a spicy harissa punch. Works best as an accompaniment to the half roast chicken with crispy skin and rosemary jus.
Truffle & Parmesan Chips: £4.50
SL says: This, on the other hand, is one dish you won’t want to share - the best chips in town. The SL office is a massive fan of these thick cut, triple-cooked fries, topped with an ungodly amount of parmesan and shaved black truffle. We even order them at the bar with a glass of wine.
Take The Kids
Waffles: £8.95
SL says: A sweet treat for kids (and adults), guests can create their ultimate waffle stack via a fun tick sheet. Select the waffle flavour - choose between vanilla, cinnamon and lemon - then get ticking on the series of toppings that span ice cream, yoghurt, fruit, sauces, nuts, crushed meringue and honeycomb.
All dishes are available at restaurants across The Ivy Cafes and The Ivy Grills & Brasseries
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