COUNTER - VAUXHALL ARCHES

Last week I went for dinner with my boyfriend and his best mate to Counter. Usually I always choose where to go, but considering his best mate likes Dishoom and Bone Daddies I was happy to make an exception this time. Vauxhall is certainly not the place that comes in mind when you think about fancy restaurants...but I guess Counter is the exception.
Counter is a modern brasserie style place, based in one of the arches of Vauxhall station (next to Dirty Burger). The restaurant is divided into two area: a restaurant at the front and a cocktail bar at the back. The decoration is modern with booths and marble tables and it also features some original paintings.

We started our meal with some cocktails, beers and a bread basket. The bread was really good but it could have been better if it was served with salted butter.

Bread basket

As a starter, my boyfriend and his friend ordered Counter's special dish of the day: seared scallops served with braised Puy lentils and its sauce. And I ordered the asparagus served with a poached duck egg and broad beans.

 Seared scallops with braised Puy lentils served with lentils sauce (starter)

 Asparagus, poached duck egg and broad beans

My dish was very good, the poached egg was perfectly cooked with a runny yolk in the middle. It was served with cooked but crunchy asparagus (as I like) and broad beans. Seasoning was perfect.

Lamb breast fillet, croquettes, fennel & carrot

Our friend had the lamb as a main. According to him, the lamb was delicious, not too fatty. Croquettes were crispy and perfectly cooked. Unfortunately the carrots were underdone. Overall he thought the dish was a bit overpriced as it was a small piece of lamb (£19). 

 Seared scallops with braised Puy lentils served with lentils sauce (main)

I ordered the special dish of the day as a main (which made my friends very jealous as I had twice as many scallops as them),  like their starter my scallops were perfectly cooked. I really liked the combination with the salad of Puy lentils and summer vegetables. The sauce was tasty but the dish will have been good even without.

Counter burger, swiss cheese, bacon jam and fries 

My boyfriend had the Counter burger, maybe the only disappointment of this meal. The burger was too cooked and not juicy. The bun looks pretty nice but was very dry - maybe they need to ask advice from next door (Dirty Burger) to improve their recipe. Only good point, fries were pretty good. 

Overall we had a great time at the Counter, some dishes were a bit pricey for the area but because the service and the food were good it makes it more acceptable.

The only advice I will give regarding my experience at the Counter is that if you want a great burger in Vauxhall, Counter won't be the best place for it.

7/10.

Counter - Vauxhall arches

Arches 50, South Lambeth place

London SW8 1SP

Twitter: @eatatcounter