When I heard that in a land far far away, Drake and Morgan had created a brand new restaurant in fairy tales and fables of Aesop well I just had to visit.
Walking to the restaurant is a bit like entering a secret world. Trundling across Holborn viaduct (a road bridge in London) which I have to say has been beautiful restored in vibrant red, gold and silver, I spot The Fable restaurant over the head of a fire breathing dragon.
From the exterior you could easily mistake Fable for a corporate office block but looks can be very deceiving. Down a windy staircase from the bridge you begin to see glimpses of the wonderful thought that has gone into designing this restaurant.
When inside the interior doesn't disappoint either set across three floors this restaurant is vast.
The beautiful fairy tale bar and seating Fable really impresses on design.
Some novel arrangements around the restaurant. Sorry for the bad pun but I couldn't resist.
We are seated at a big long table on elevated chairs. The drink menu is vast with an almighty selection to choose from. Pages of cocktails (mojito, daiquiri martinis and fairtale cocktails) wine and spirits.
The sharing cocktails look amazing and very theatrical:
Rub a dub shrub - hook a duck at bath time, with snow queen vodka, fresh watermelon juice, homemade strawberry vinegar, strawberries and bubbling bath time suds.
Goldfish in a bag - served in a goldfish bag. Take home a tipsy fish. With gin, vodka,rhubarb, pink grapefruit, 'fish', tonic and edible Lilly pads.
So whilst we peruse over the menu we opt for Zombie Land cocktails. Two is enough, three is too many ... four and you will be walking like the undead. Either that or you will be under the table.
It is served from a bath ... and it is mighty potent.
The menu at The Fable is vast and has lots of varied food options to suit every taste, burgers, fresh seafood, seasonal salads and steak.
But Sundays mean only one thing to me. A good lie in and a lovely Sunday roast.
Sadly this is where the positives finish. I always thought no one could ruin a Sunday roast; well I was wrong. The beef was cooked well, but the vegetables definitely were not al dente, with more chance you would need a dentist. It's a shame that the Yorkshire puddings were also swimming in fat.
Service whilst friendly, was unbelievably slow and left you constantly hunting for a member of staff which after a while became really frustrating and ruined the dining experience.
The Fable has only just opened so I am sure the above small issues can be resolved quickly. It is so annoying when a restaurant has so much going for it that it could be an excellent place to eat and drink but at the moment it is definitely style over substance.
Hopefully Fable will recruit more staff to serve the many dinners. The menu is vast and less is more sometimes. I would definitely prefer a few less dishes cooked well than lots potentially cooked badly.
Give this place a few months and if you are looking for a restaurant near Holborn I would certainly give it another try even if it is just to bathe in a cocktail.
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