Napoleon’s Casino on Portland Street, slotted in between the Clayton and Voco hotels, has an amazing “Dine in Style” offer on. It’s fantastic value, and the food doesn’t disappoint. Neither does the venue, and the service is genuinely friendly. You don’t need to be a member, and you don’t need to gamble. If you do though, please do so responsibly. We had to include this for legal reasons.
For £30 you can choose a starter, main course, and dessert, and a glass of wine. Plus, if you fancy a flutter, there’s even a £5 gaming chip included. If you’re accompanied this guarantees at least £5 back. The menu has something for everyone, and, if you’re feeling flush, you can include some of the more expensive items from the a la carte menu for a supplement.
We chose to stick to the main offering but had an additional cocktail beforehand. These are £8 extra each. If you want an extra glass, the wine list starts at £20 per bottle, peaking at £40. Very good value.
So, what did we have? I started with the Smoked Duck Breast and my companion opted for Pan Seared Mackerel. Both came very nicely presented and the kitchen didn’t skimp on portion size. The duck was nicely pink and came with egg noodles and pak choi with mango gel. Delicious. The Mackerel was beautifully presented and very tasty.
Our mains were Cod & Salmon Ballotine and the Wagyu Beef Burger. My fish came wrapped in seaweed with confit carrots and a very light parsnip & leek espuma. Again, simply delicious. The burger came with all the usual accompaniments, but we swapped the sweet potato fries for normal ones. The burger was very good indeed, being two patties in a seeded maple bun with cheese and bacon. You can customise it as you wish.
Our starters and main courses would have come to £58 alone had we opted for the a la carte, indicating what a great value this offer is.
We didn’t really need a dessert, but taking one for the team we ploughed on. I had Chocolate and Hazelnut Cheesecake, and the other side of the table went for the Selection of Ice Creams. This latter was served in a whimsical way including a waffle cone. The cheesecake came with raspberry ripple ice cream. I hadn’t had that for years, and it was good.
If all this isn’t enough there are two other offers available: a 5-Bottle Bucket for £20, or the 3Bs, which gives you a beer, burger, and a £5 bet for £16.
The restaurant and bar overlook the gaming floor, but there is also a private dining room that can seat 8 people (10 at a squeeze). For smokers, there is a covered terrace, but it’s on the other side of the gaming floor. If you’re desperate though it’s a lot better than having to go out onto the street.
Canal St card holders will enjoy 20% off A la Carte at all times.
Paul Schofield for Canal St Media/Card.