We recently attended the soft launch (incognito, of course) of new Elephant establishment ‘Rarebit’. Rarebit is located at the end of foodie avenue Sayer Street in the mind bending ‘Millennials only’ playground that is Elephant Park. While Rarebit is primarily a restaurant, it has joined the current wave of joints also selling upmarket food items and wine. The wine you can purchase and drink at your table for a corkage fee of £15(!). Beers and cocktails are also available, and we started with a cooling Negroni. 

As this was opening night, what was on offer was a half price taster of what they plan to serve going forward, plus a few freebies.  We were served by a precise and professionally drilled service staff who knew quite a bit about what they were serving, especially considering it was their first day. Also on deck was a much more proprietorial looking gentlemen who offered helpful suggestions. The broccoli with harissa yoghurt was the most delicious dish and the best value. It came nicely cooked and great savoury creamy slickness, and a medium sized portion was £3.25. Next best was the sausage roll, a freebie sampler with great pastry and a flavourful herbed sausage. Deep fried rarebit balls were naughty but nice, also freebies. Scallops with pea purée and black pudding were good but we’d have felt let down paying full price (£13?) for two small scallops that you can inhale in two minutes. For drinks we chose a wine suggested to us and it was moderately good value. 

Rarebit is an independent restaurant which prides itself on working with fine British producers and the menu features breed meats (whatever that is) and also plenty of veggie options. They are also available for a coffee, pastry or a quick drink. And apparently soon a Sunday brunch. A fun evening and an affordable one too if you can catch them during their soft launch. 

Pros – Chripy serving staff and doors sweeping out onto Elephant and Castle 

Cons – Chripy serving staff and doors sweeping out onto Elephant and Castle