This Michelin starred restaurant based in Mayfair comes from the team behind Les Deux Salons and Arbutus. The restaurant itself is reminiscent of a hunters log cabin with its wood panelled walls – if I’d turned up wearing a dearstalker with a shotgun draped over my shoulder I wouldn’t have looked out of place. It was an attractive looking dining room.
We arrived at 1pm for lunch on a Sunday and there were only two other tables taken. The atmosphere was slightly awkward and deathly silent – in this case some background music was definitely necessary. By the time we left, the restaurant was much busier and filed with couples with children in pushchairs who were made to feel more than welcome which was nice.
The only menu available was three courses for £25.50 with 6 choices for each course which seemed great value.
My starter of Dorset crab, avocado guacamole, peanut and lychee had a lot of flavours going on but it worked really well – and it looked stunning. The sweet lychee complimented the delicate crab rather well and the peanuts added texture. This was light and summery to the point of perfection.
My gentleman companion’s fresh sheep’s ricotta gnocchi (or gnudi to give it the official title) and autumn grapes was another stunner. Again, lots of flavours going on but it was a really well balanced dish. The grapes were served warm and were sweet which contrasted the creamy ricotta beautifully.
My main of Norfolk partridge, pears and a mole sauce (a Mexican sauce made from peppers and spices) was delicious – the partridge was really moist and succulent. The sauce was rich and tangy which worked well with the sweet pear. My only criticism would be that the dish was missing a carbohydrate of some kind – it left me feeling a little hungry.
My gentleman companion chose the more filling dish – young roast chicken with a mushroom risotto. There was plenty of chicken and it’s cooking was spot on – I looked on in envy. My gentleman companion even went on to gush it was the best chicken he’d ever had. The mushroom risotto was served in a separate copper pot and was seriously flavoursome.
Puddings were simply presented but were divinely indulgent. The warm chocolate soup with milk sorbet was less of a soup and more like the inside of a chocolate fondant (which is the best part of a fondant) and was mega tasty.
The soft meringue, crushed pralines and custard looked very pretty. The meringue was insanely light – if it weren’t for the crumbled pralines sprinkled on top weighing it down it would have floated up to the ceiling. The cold sweet custard was a welcome accompaniment and it all worked perfectly.
Service was pleasant but nothing out of the ordinary – we didn’t get the chance to engage in conversation with anyone but the staff were polite and sweet.
Everything we ate was very flavourful and very elegantly presented. I imagine of an evening when it’s busy and in full flow, it’s got a really good atmosphere. It’s a lovely restaurant and one which serves great value food – especially for Mayfair.
8/10