So, last night was the Pied a Terre night!
We decided to have a few drinks in the Artesian bar at the Langham first, arriving at around 6:30. As a cocktail fan I was mightily impressed with the place. A special mention goes to the really brilliant presentation of 'Best Kept Secret', which also tasted pretty fabulous! 'Complimentary' canapés were a nice touch.
At around 9:00 we left and took the short stroll to Pied a Terre, arriving a little early for our 9:45 reservation. The table was ready and we were immediately seated in to our sofa corner and a glass of rose champagne quickly offered. An intimate and cosy atmosphere, although for what would be over 3.5 hours of dining a little uncomfortable due to lack of space (even to stretch legs) and not the most supportive of seats. I've found a photo of where we were seated:
For the meal itself we opted for the 10-course tasting menu with 'Classic' wines. Each dish was as you'd expect - excellently prepared and presented, interestingly tasteful and delicious, but there wasn't a dish that really amazed me.
The sommelier appeared to have excellent and detailed knowledge, picking some very well-matched wines. I am by no means a wine buff but I felt the white wines with the first and third courses were particularly good. The first was light and fresh to go with the crab; the third very sweet, almost thick, to drink with the foie gras. I really very much enjoyed the variety of wines and discussing them in the context of the dishes.
Service was of course perfect. The experience didn't feel at all pretentious, with an older couple opposite chatting at various stages throughout the night, and a mid-20s couple from Barcelona also making conversation towards the end.
My only 'issue', if you could call it that, was with the quantity of the wine. It was a lot, more than really one should have consumed. After 3 cocktails, a glass of champagne and 10 glasses of wine I was pretty damn drunk! Another diner couldn't keep pace and had around 6 glasses of wine left by the end. I am sure she would have preferred them to have been taken away. There may be rules or customs around this I am unaware of.
Overall a very good dining experience, but not exactly my style. I am a bigger fan of the more interesting presentations, trendier atmosphere and probably slightly richer flavours at L'Atelier de Joël Robuchon. My degree of intoxication towards the end could have tempered things.
The total cost was a little steep at £464.29 for the two of us, split £190.00 for the food, £222.70 for the wine and champagne and £51.59 for service (plus a £1 donation to charity).
For me this is a very good restaurant of the highest calibre, but it's not somewhere I'd say you'd have to dine before you die.
EDIT: After checking the receipt and with my friend, I seemed to have also ordered a Baileys coffee at the end. I have no memory of this at all, so I am taking that as confirmation I was completely smashed.
