Albatross and Albert is the dining arm of The Range, where you can bunker down and perfect your golf swing in their snazzy booths and high-tech driving courses without the bother of being outside, something none of us fancy at the moment.

 

Next door to the golfy bit, the first impression is how pretty the room is, all chrome, velvet and with wonderful views over Spinningfields where you can watch office workers, gym bunnies go about their business, as Sartre nailed café society, watching the world go by.

 

The food is small plate style, coming in waves and the staff, especially Aliyah, were experts in telling us how and what to order as well as bringing a welcome charm to this eatery that is lacking in so many other spaces.

 

The menu is split between meat, fish and vegetables, giving plant-based cuisine the same billing as the others, a rarity in a place that offers all the food groups.

 

What was surprising was the delicate flavours brought out by the chef and the attention to detail. I say surprising because to be honest, this restaurant wasn’t on my radar before the VIVA visit and I’m glad it is now.

 

It’s based on the best of British produce and the small plates start from £9. They recommend two to three dishes, depending on your appetite and there are also snacks from under a fiver which you can use as starters if you want to do the traditional three-course thing.

 

We nibbled on their take on a scotch egg which was made with black pudding and hit the spot entirely bringing the flavours together in a tasty mouth-burst whilst lamb kofta, were melt in the mouth meaty morsels.

 

 

There’s also a sharing charcuterie board which was plentiful with enough wonderful cheeses and salty-meats to give you a ticking off from the docs and teamed this up in one wave with what had to be the stand-out dish of the meal and one I’d go back for, a beautiful baked beetroot and goat’s cheese medley that was simply gorgeous.

 

The fish dishes were again cooked with a clarity and a tender hand bringing out the flavours with aplomb, whilst lamb hit the spot with Welsh-Sam.

 

Albatross and Albert also have a wide cocktail list and some great vinos, all again reasonably priced from the early twenties for a bottle of wine.

 

All this and if you’re a golf widow or widower, you can dine in style while your beau indulges in their favourite game.

 

They also do brunch and deals so for details, visit: https://www.albatrossandarnold.uk.com/