Russell Square, located in the heart of Bloomsbury in central London, is a historic and culturally rich area known for its elegant Georgian architecture and leafy gardens. The square is one of the largest in London, and was laid out in the early 19th century. It’s one of the many green spaces in the city that makes it a joy to live in.
We walked through the square on a beautiful summer’s day, heading for The Montague on the Gardens and its seasonal pop-up experience – the Beach Bar. A beach in London, now we’re talking.
The Montague on the Gardens is part of the Red Carnation Hotel Collection and is a short walk from the tube station and just steps from the British Museum. It’s elegant and quirky at the same time with its stylish facade, dramatically chic Leopard Bar and various outside spaces for drinking and dining.
We start with cocktails in the Beach Bar with our feet in the sand – yes, actual sand. There’s a great seaside vibe and it feels far away from the buzzing streets outside. After consultation with our friendly waitress we decide to head for the garden terrace for lunch – it’s set against the backdrop of the Bedford Estate gardens. So peaceful with leafy views.
The menu features a selection of signature dishes that make the most of seasonal ingredients. We started with chicken yakitori and patatas bravas from the small plates menu, the perfect light starter for a hot London day.
For mains we shared the chopped salad and Montague burger. Love a chopped salad, and this one was colourful and fresh and mixed for us at the table for a bit of ceremony. The burger was flavourful and juicy and served on a brioche bun with cheese and coleslaw and salad on the side. We finished off with fresh fruit and sorbet, a summery conclusion to a day at the beach and in the garden.
Lunch at The Montague on the Gardens is a delightful escape — part beach holiday, part garden party, with an array of satisfying dishes and creative cocktails. The Beach Bar pop-up brings a playful seaside spirit to the city, and with sunshine on the terrace and cocktails in hand, it’s hard not to feel like you’ve slipped away to somewhere far more tropical. It’s a sophisticated celebration of summer in a unique setting. Don’t dawdle though — the Beach Bar is only open until September 26th and you don’t want to miss your chance to dig your toes into that sand.
Words by Sandy Cadiz-Smith