When in London...

[molinari]

Where can I take her?
Was considering; Greenhouse, Square, Hibiscus, possibly Dinner by Heston but unsure I fancy that, or maybe one of Jason Atherton's places? Or Hedone, Tom Aikens? Pied a Terre?

I've been to several of those restaurants and if I only had to recommend one of them, it would be The Square without a doubt.
I've not been to Greenhouse in Mayfair, it has just won it's 2nd star so must be doing something right.

The cocktail bar at The Connaught hotel is quite nice and is a short stroll away from Le Gavroche for a quick drink before-hand. Claridges is also lovely.

(In case there is any confusion with the names....
- The Greenhouse in Mayfair is owned by the MARC Group (Marlon Abela Restaurant Corporation), not related to The Glasshouse.
- Chez Bruce, La Trompette and The Glasshouse are a trio of restaurants owned by Nigel Platts-Martin and Bruce Poole.
- The Square is co-owned by Phil Howard and Nigel Platts-Martin, who also back The Ledbury restaurant.
Although Nigel Platts-Martin has links to 5 restaurants above, I don't believe that The Square and The Ledbury are otherwise connected with Chez Bruce and the other 2.)

 

[randomshenans]

Good knowledge!

I'm actually just about to email Brett at the Ledbury to see if they can do a surprise lunch for my mum and sister as a birthday present. They've never done the Ledbury but it's possibly my favourite place in London.

I'll check out the Connaught and Claridges for drinks, too as well as reporting back on Duck & Waffle. Hopefully I can get a booking (reminder to do that today).

Oli, you should have said, I'd have dragged you out as well And now I've already booked!

Anyone free on the Monday 27th? I'll be around central on and off throughout the day if anyone fancies a cheeky cocktail.

 

[Voltar]

I didn't like the Ledbury. Perhaps they just had a bad night when I went though...

OP if you can get a table and are happy to pay it's gotta be Gavroche or Hospital Road. I've never been anywhere that comes close to those two.


xarr's drinks selections are very good indeed too btw

 

[oli collett]

Good knowledge!

I'm actually just about to email Brett at the Ledbury to see if they can do a surprise lunch for my mum and sister as a birthday present. They've never done the Ledbury but it's possibly my favourite place in London.

I'll check out the Connaught and Claridges for drinks, too as well as reporting back on Duck & Waffle. Hopefully I can get a booking (reminder to do that today).

Oli, you should have said, I'd have dragged you out as well And now I've already booked!

Anyone free on the Monday 27th? I'll be around central on and off throughout the day if anyone fancies a cheeky cocktail.

Hedone is almost my local as well

I could prob come out on the evening of the 27th

 

[randomshenans]

Did the light bar last night as it happens, then a few more places on route down to mayfair for the greenhouse. Was a really nice meal. I'll put up some more about it in a different thread I suppose. We had one drink at the mamounia lounge which is right near by just before, and the first thing we did was sit outside on their seats to be snapped at by an extremely unfriendly eastern european front of house lady "You can't sit there!" I was like, sorry?! No, hi guys how can I help you, sorry but this table is taken, can I show you inside for some drinks?! So I ranted on twitter and they replied today. Going to give them some abuse. I hate bad service and it annoyed the **** off me.


Light bar:

Palette cleanser of mojito sorbet in an ice pop from Greenhouse.

Heading in to town now for Le Gavroche later. I've told Monika I want red carpet treatment...

Will report back

 

[Martynt74]

That Mojito Sorbet ice pop looks fantastic.

 

[randomshenans]

 

[glitch]

That Mojito Sorbet ice pop looks fantastic.

It looks great, but it's really badly thought-out. I had a long chat with one of the chefs about it the last time I was there.

The mojito granita ice-pop thingy is an ideal palate cleanser, but by covering it with white chocolate it's that which coats the inside of your mouth instead and the palate-cleansing effect of the minty ice inside is totally lost.

That and their pathetically small gin list (they promised to get my two favourites in for my next trip) were my only niggles about an otherwise exemplary meal.

 

[randomshenans]

I do agree with you on that, but as it's such a thin layer, it melts pretty quickly. You are right though, it would be better as an ice lolly in one way, but then you'd lose the granita texture.

The dishes were a lot more creative in the Greenhouse over Le Gavroche, which is traditional French really, but executed well and presented more traditionally.

I'll do a post on the dishes and menus when I'm back home. Flying out later this afternoon, so will get the menus out so I know what I actually ate.

After a bit of wine last night we left gavroche at like 1am and asked them to get us a taxi. They said it had arrived and (I blame the booze) as I went outside I saw a black Phantom sitting there and I thought bloody hell taxis are good around here! Our taxi was parked behind it, obviously. Ha