Review: Indigo, Aldwych, Central London

I'm the first to admit that I don't usually venture into hotel restaurants, here or abroad. I always like to get out to explore. But when I was invited to try out Indigo at the One Aldwych hotel, I decided to see if my narrow-mindedness was holding me back. Indigo is a gluten and dairy-free informal restaurant in the heart of Covent Garden. But you would never know when you stepped inside, it felt a world away from the hustle and bustle of one of London's busiest areas.

After studying in the menu over a glass of fizz, I finally came to my decision. I wanted to try something that normal had gluten to see if it could compare. For a starter I opted for thinly sliced lamb belly, crispy shallots and pistachios drizzled with an egg mayonnaise gribiche sauce. I loved the slight kick the mustard gave with the sauce and the crunch of the shallots gave the dish much needed texture. The lamb was incredibly tender and the portion was the perfect size to start with. It only increased my appetite! My dining partner opted for the cured Loch Duart salmon with shreaded citrus fruit, creamy avocado and a sprinkling of coriander. It looked absolutely incredible and I have it on good authority that it was!

The main course saw me try hand rolled potato gnocchi with fresh, tender asparagus and sweet peas. I enjoyed every mouthful and didn't want it to end. The gnocchi was crispy on the outside and light and fluffy on the end - it melted in my mouth with every bite. The veg was cooked to perfection and the whole dish blended together superbly. I did watch on envious as my friend's lamb rump arrived with a side of samphire, smoked aubergines, capers and anchovies.

I wasn't going to leave without sampling a dessert so chose the lemon and rapeseed cake with a hazelnut praline.  I was pretty skeptical before trying the dairy free ice cream but I honestly couldn't tell the difference - it was so wonderfully creamy.

Since my meal at Indigo I think I'm going to be a more open-minded when it comes to trying restaurants in hotels. You really shouldn't judge a book by its cover. The service was faultless, each mouthful of food was delicious and the atmosphere was buzzing. It's a fantastic place in the heart of Covent Garden to go for a bite to eat away from the crowds. Someone I'd definitely be recommending to friends!