LONDON’S TOP TABLES
If you are ticking off the boxes of the restaurants
you have to eat out in London, then driving down to this list is right up
there. This choice is indeed amazing and overwhelming in the
buzzy city…do put it to delicious use!
BRUNELLO
CULINARY ESSENCE- Traditional and authentic Italian cuisine with a
strong creative element
AMBIENCE- The buzzy central bar spreads its charm to the
restaurant and lounge creating the perfect setting to relax and indulge in
anything from a hearty breakfast to a romantic dinner. The silver grey and rich
gold velvet upholstery set against a black backdrop come alive with numerous
candles that gave a warm glow making the black glass Murano Chandeliers sparkle
at dinner time.
USP- The head Chef has created a menu that also features a
simplified range of comforting Italian classics using outstanding quality
ingredients which changes with the seasons.
LIP SMACKING-‘Burrata cheese (rather than the predictable
Bononcini) served with Sicilian Caponata’, ‘chef’s style Scottish beef nicoise
salad’. Less punchy but fresh and aromatic is the mushroom cream soup which
manages to be thickly textured without over-dosing on cream. ‘Smoked swordfish
loin with exotic fruit, grape juice reduction and red onion’ and the ‘Tuna
Steak served with roasted aubergine, avocado and ginger sauce’ are a seafood
lover’s dream and leaves you wanting more. Save a little room for the heavenly
“Tiramisu” made from home-made mascarpone cheese which enhances the flavour of
this delicious dish to the tee.
FAST FACTS
Brunello at Hotel Baglioni, 60 Hyde Park Gate – Kensington, London SW7
5BB
Landline Number: +44 (0)20 7368 5700
Timings: Open for Breakfast, lunch, afternoon Tea and Dinner
BENARES RESTAURANT & BAR
CULINARY ESSENCE- Authentic Indian and Modern Indian cuisine with a
British twist.
AMBIENCE- This is one fine Indian restaurant set in elegant and
relaxing surroundings. The unassuming entrance leads to a charmingly spacious
first floor bar replete with opulent artefacts and floating flowers. The
adjacent dining area is none too traditional in its décor and has a very upbeat
contemporary feel to it. This probably explains why serious business suits sit
comfortably side by side with the latest designer outfits. The Sommelier’s
Table, a dramatic glass-walled cellar dining room - where one can dine amidst
world’s rarest wines and a Chef’s Table with a bold glass fronted wall that
entices you further into the creation of your dishes add a further touch of
elegance.
USP- Owner & Chef Atul kochhar is the very first
Indian chef to receive a Michelin star, which he accomplished during his tenure
as Head Chef at Tamarind in 2001, he then went on to open Benares for which he
was awarded second Michelin star in 2007.
LIP SMACKING- The tasting menu paired with wines is to die for
especially the ‘Tandoori roasted hand dived Scottish scallop’ paired with a
Sequillo eben Sadie from South Africa. From the al la carte do not miss the
‘Saag Gosht’ contemporary and classic is an amalgam of wonderful flavours. Do
not miss the ‘Tandoori Chicken for two’, plump and succulent, it’s carved right
at the table. The ‘Baingan aur matar ka bhartha’ is exceptional and the
desserts like ‘Rose and Raspberry Bhapa Doi, pistachio Burfi’ and ‘Betel leaf
Baba, tropical fruit, passion fruit yoghurt’ are richly heavenly.
FAST
FACTS
Benares, 12a Berkeley Square House, Berkeley Square,
Mayfair, London W1J 6BS
Landline
Number: +44 (0) 20 7629 8886
Timings: Open for lunch and Dinner. Sundays closed.
WERNHER
CULINARY ESSENCE- Exquisite fine dining with a modern twist, using
British sourced produce.
AMBIENCE- Named after the owner who bought the property in 1903
and restored it into a country seat fit for royalty, this restaurant is no less
than a jewel. This part of the mansion stands out for its Beaux Arts style. To
top this off, a beautiful panoramic view of the lush green lawns is bound to
making dining here an experience of a lifetime.
USP- has been awarded two coveted AA Rosettes; Foodies
will appreciate the careful detail given to each dish, from the superior
ingredients to the expert hands that craft each dish.
LIP SMACKING- ‘Cured duck ham and vodka jelly’ with pink turnip
remoulade and beetroot, ‘Wild mushroom and Madeira fricasse’, on a parsley rosti
with a black truffle jus, ‘Baked fillet of hake’ on chervil risotto, roast
chervil root, sticky oxtail and roasted clams with almonds, ‘Roast butternut
squash pithivier’
with char grilled tender stem broccoli, and a white wine and garlic cream, ‘Baked hazelnut cheesecake’, with an orange caramel sauce and pistachio ice cream and ‘Iced banana daiquiri ‘with a chocolate mille feuille and mini banoffee tart.
with char grilled tender stem broccoli, and a white wine and garlic cream, ‘Baked hazelnut cheesecake’, with an orange caramel sauce and pistachio ice cream and ‘Iced banana daiquiri ‘with a chocolate mille feuille and mini banoffee tart.
FAST
FACTS
Wernher at Luton Hoo Hotel, Golf & Spa, the
Mansion House, Luton, Bedfordshire, LU1 3TQ
Landline
Number: +44 (0) 1582 734437
Timings: Open for Breakfast, lunch and Dinner
CARRARA
CULINARY ESSENCE- Prominently English menu combining high quality food
and fresh produce with Italian influences…
AMBIENCE- Overlooking Victoria, at the St. James Theatre
complex, London’s newest theatre which opened in 2012; a sweeping sculptural
staircase ‘Final Encore’, designed by artist Mark Humphrey and built in Italy
from white Carrara marble leads you up to this fine dining space on the first
floor where the walls adorn many a nostalgic photos of stars and celebrities.
USP- A real restaurant providing a good choice on a fixed
price menu is something of a rarity in London
LIP SMACKING- ‘Char-grilled marinated squid salad’, ‘pressed
rabbit terrine’, ‘lemon Panacotta’ with lemon curd, blackberries and chocolate.
In between, mains run the gamut from from ‘confit duck with cannellini bean
Cassoulet’, to ‘Spatchock chicken with tarragon Velouté’, or an ‘open lasagne
of wild mushrooms’ with saffron pecorino sauce. A concise list of international
wines is bolstered by a fistful of world beers.
FAST
FACTS
Carrara at St James, 12 Palace Street
London, SW1E 5JA
Landline
Number: +44 (0) 207 592 0348
Timings: Open for Lunch and Dinner.
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BABYLON
CULINARY ESSENCE- Mouth-watering British cuisine with a smattering of
Mediterranean influences.
AMBIENCE- Overlooking the London skyline, high up on the 7th
floor at Kensington roof gardens. Once you whiz past the bar, you would be
welcomed by bright greens of various shades that are nearly on every surface,
from the old fashioned sofas upholstered with velvety flowered fabric to the silky
satiny stools scattered around the square tables. The large panoramic windows
overlook the terrace and a sea of buildings let in lots of light during the
day. And yes do not miss out the toilets, the Aquarium that sets apart the Male
from the female also houses matching Aqua green fishes.
USP- This is where one might discover stimulating
conversation with strangers while sipping on some of the finest wines and
devouring the most delectable meal.
LIP SMACKING- ‘Oak smoked salmon with sweet potato blinis’ topped
with soft, creamy salmon, is a delicious starter option. ‘Pumpkin and wild
mushroom risotto’ is a must try and the ‘roast fillet of halibut’ is no less
spectacular, with a fillet of the fish on top of a bed of wilted kale, fennel
and samphire that absorbs the mousse-like shellfish sauce. Desserts include a
sweet, gooey and rich milk chocolate tart with a scoop of creamy peanut brittle
ice cream. The clementine cheesecake is another good bet. The ‘Red Edition
cocktail’ pink and fruity with a buzzy tickle from the Champagne, and the
hibiscus flower at the bottom unfurls as you sip along is definitely worth
trying also because a pound of the sales from this drink go to charity.
FAST
FACTS
Babylon, 99 Kensington High Street, London, W8 5SA
Landline
Number: +44 (0) 207 368 3993
Timings: Open for Lunch and Dinner.
DIAL BAR AND RESTAURANT-COVENT
GARDEN
CULINARY ESSENCE- this casual fine diner offers its gourmands &
food aficionado’s a place to savour Modern European cuisine prepared with
market-fresh British produce - community style, while the fragrant spices of
the bar’s meze menu hint at the old Covent Garden market’s more exotic wares.
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AMBIENCE- Tall French doors welcome one here, an orchestration
of bold strokes of form, pattern and colour, complemented by pendant skirt -
all work together to create a site specific sculpted space, a style inspired
cocktail bar.
USP- The chef’s fare balances simplicity with elaborate
technique showcasing the inherent qualities of his ingredients. The kitchen
team looks to nature’s bounty to act as the beacon, guiding them to create
clean and harmonious dishes.
LIP SMACKING- ‘Jerusalem artichoke soup, curry oil and lemon balm’,
‘ Board of cured meat’ including Serrano ham, bresaola, peppered salami, smoked
duck, Brunswick ham and terrine with dill pickle, piccalilli relish and bread, ‘Rosary ash goat’s cheese tart with confit of
onions’ , ‘baked tomatoes, pesto sauce and rocket salad’, ‘Bitter chocolate
tart kumquat marmalade’ and ‘cream Creamy apple and calvados trifle’ .The
afternoon high tea which consists of a three-tiered tea tray which includes
mini sandwiches, warm scones and mini pastries, complemented with an array of
fine teas.
FAST FACTS
Dial Bar & Restaurant Covent Garden, Radisson Blu Edwardian, 20
Mercer Street, London WC2H 9HD
Landline Number: (0)20 7845 8607.
Timings: Open from 7 Am until 2 Am.
FORTNUM & MASONS
CULINARY ESSENCE – For over 300 years, it had been sourcing and
selling superb quality tea. In 1926 it was transformed into a unique department
store with a restaurant. For generations, afternoon tea has become an essential
part of any visit to 181 Piccadilly as it serves the best afternoon tea in London.
AMBIENCE- Housed on the fourth floor St. James’s Restaurant came
into being on the store’s 250th anniversary in 1957, and offers superb dining
and fine afternoon tea. The Diamond Jubilee Tea Salon was reopened in 2012 by
Their Royal Highnesses the Duchess of Cornwall and the Duchess of Cambridge.
USP- Today it is a unique and gorgeous store where even
the Queen buys her groceries from, it is famed for its fine foods, hampers,
teas, wine, five restaurants, award winning wine bar and an ice-cream parlour.
LIP SMACKING- The Afternoon Tea menu features finest teas,
delicate sandwiches and exquisite cakes. One can also choose a warm entrée if
one goes for the High Tea and on offer is also a scrumptious savoury tea menu
for those who do not have a sweet tooth. And yes don’t forget to order a
British sparkling wine.
FAST
FACTS
181 Piccadilly, London, W1A 1ER
Landline
Number: +44 (0) 845 602 5694
Timings: 10 Am to 9pm and on Sundays 10 am to 6pm
SCALINI
CULINARY ESSENCE- A chic restaurant offering tasty Italian cuisine…!
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AMBIENCE- Walk into Scalini, a home-style Italian restaurant,
and one feels at home at once. It marks a clear departure from often seen
soul-less sleek minimalist restaurants, celebrating the nostalgia of the good
old neighbourhood restaurants. With floral and chequered print tablecloths and pretty
tapestry, Scalini is sure to transport you to a Villa in Firenze. The
restaurant is spread over two levels and is known to be a favourite with many
footballers (pictures adorning the walls are proof enough) and the likes of
Sonia Gandhi and her family as well.
USP- Recently bought over by Amit Burman of Dabur and
Neeraj Kanwar of Apollo tyres, the focus is on a relaxed and friendly team,
warm environment, great food and unbeatable value, thus making it the ideal
choice for lunch, dinner or just a great time out!
LIP SMACKING-‘Linguine alle Arselle Freshe’ with fresh clams,
tomatoes and garlic, ‘Sagliola alla Griglia’ aka Grilled Dover sole, ‘Carpaccio
alle Rucola’ aka very thin raw fillet of beef with mustard dressing, parmesan
cheese and rucola, ‘800 gr de Florentina’ chargrilled T-Bone steak a la Metro
d’ Hotel, ‘Agnello Gallese Al forno’ welsh lamb with port and red currant
sauce, ‘Tiramisu’ and ‘profit rolls’.
FAST
FACTS
Scalini, 1-3 Walton Street, London, Greater London SW3
2JD
Landline
Number: +44 (0) 20 7225 2301
Timings: 11 Am to 11 pm.
published in Tlf
