The Best In Spring-Summer Dining At In Horto – Review

Nestled in the Southwark Quarter, In Horto draws on rusticness, botanicals and wood-fired cooking, coming to life in the sunlight. As the weather warms up, head to In Horto for rusticness, botanicals and wood-fired deliciousness, says Olivia Emily.

Restaurant Review: In Horto, Southwark

In Horto is a hidden, wood-clad oasis in the Southwark Quarter, slightly set back from the city’s nearby bustling streets and Borough Market. With a Latin name translating to ‘in the garden’, guests are immersed in the wild, with hanging plants dripping down the walls and from lights, and retractable ceiling and wooden shutters along to walls to make the most of summer’s warmth (when it eventually arrives). Add terracotta tiles and a laid back vibe, and you could almost believe you’ve been picked up and plonked in a sun-kissed Mediterranean eatery.

The menu adds to that balmy, Latinate feel. Inspired by nature and fuelled by fire, step back to basics and pick from a menu drawing on seasonal ingredients, with some sourced as locally as the nearby Borough Market, including the Burrata with caponata and smoked white balsamic dressing.

The ultimate celebration of summer, expect delicious dishes and botanical drinks, and watch the chefs prepare and cook everything in the wood-fired oven tucked in the restaurant’s corner. With wholesome, comforting dishes designed for sharing, start with the earthy but delicately refreshing heritage beetroot with vegan feta and toasted sunflower and pumpkin seeds, the moreish padron peppers with aleppo salt, and the elegant white crab with baby gem lettuce charred by the wood-fired oven; the restaurant’s ethos – simple and rustic deliciousness – will quickly become clear.

Tuck in between sips of refreshing cocktails, like the Botanist 75 (gin, lemon juice, sugar, sparkling wine) or the Moonlight Martini (vodka, raspberry, lemon, st-germain liqueur). Or keep it simple with a glass of wine from the Liberty Wines curated list; think organic and biodynamic labels with sustainable credentials.

Then, it’s time for mains: tackle a whole lemon sole dotted with Dorset cockles for the ultimate in British freshness. Or try the wood fired chicken with spiced sour cherry and chickpea dukkah, or the whole baked cauliflower with four cheese potatoes, and opt for a side of charred hispi cabbage to make the most of that fiery oven. There are also daily-changing specials to ponder, both dishes and drinks. Don’t miss the confit potato chips: indulgently browned with layers of hot, soft potato covered with a generous grating of cheese.

And, naturally, don’t miss dessert, where simplicity reigns supreme: choose between Tiramisu, affogato and biscotti, chocolate mousse or panna cotta for a satisfying end to an environmental dream.

BOOK IT: inhorto.co.uk