DINING
‘‘
REVIEW
A cut above the rest
Plush and intimate, The English Grill at The Rubens at the Palace hotel is home to myriad indulgences. Sink into a velvet armchair as you browse the seasonal menu, which may feature Orkney king scallops with chorizo and smoked Applewood cheese; black pudding Scotch egg with wild mushroom and truffle ketchup; or Himalayan salt-aged British T-bone, with a signature Madeira and truffle sauce. For the grand finale, opt for the crêpe Suzette, soaked in citrus liqueur and flambéed at your table. Save time to visit the sultry and spotted Leopard Bar, which boasts lengthy Champagne and whisky lists and a resident swing band.
‘‘ Fenchurch Restaurant
Goodman Premium New York steakhouse with US and British beef, dry-aged and hand-cut in-house. ££££. Mon-Sat L & D (and branches). www.goodman restaurants.com. 24-26 Maddox St, W1S 1QH. T: 020-7499 3776. E7. Station: Oxford Circus.
Hard Rock Cafe London’s legendary burger joint, with rock memorabilia and a fun atmosphere. Try jumbo wings, nachos and hickory-smoked ribs. ££. Daily L & D. www.hardrock.com. 150 Old Park Lane, W1K 1LB. T: 020-7514 1700. E6. Station: Hyde Park Corner.
JW Steakhouse Quality steakhouse serving dry-aged USDA prime beef. £££. Daily B, L & D. www.jwsteakhouse. co.uk. Grosvenor House Hotel, 86 Park Lane, W1K 7TL. T: 020-7399 8460. E6. Station: Hyde Park Corner.
Planet Hollywood
This smart venue just beneath the top of the ‘Walkie Talkie’ has great views, and serves British seafood and lamb. £££. Daily L & D. www.skygarden.london. 20 Fenchurch St, EC3M 8AF. T: 0333-772 0020. E11. Station: Monument.
Great Court Restaurant Enjoy lunch or afternoon tea above the museum’s iconic Reading Room, under the domed roof. ££. Daily L; Fri D. www.britishmuseum.org. British Museum, Great Russell St, WC1B 3DG. T: 020-7323 8990. D7. Station: Tottenham Court Road/Holborn.
The Montagu Kitchen Modern hotel brasserie offering seasonal dishes, weekend brunches, afternoon teas and a chef’s table. It is inspired bythe National Trust’s Chartwell House and Garden in Kent – Winston Churchill’s former home. ££. Daily B, L & D. www.the montagurestaurant.co.uk. Hyatt Regency London – The Churchill, 30 Portman Square, W1H 7BH. T: 020-7299 2037. D5. Station: Marble Arch.
DID YOU KNOW?
The Russian prima ballerina Anna Pavlova danced at The Ritz in 1912, six years after it opened
Hollywood-inspired dining experience with film memorabilia and an international menu. ££. Daily L & D (bar to 1am). www.planethollywoodlondon.com. 57-60 Haymarket, SW1Y 4QX. T: 020-7287 1000. E7. Station: Piccadilly Circus.
Rainforest Cafe Busy all-day dining in a mock rainforest setting, with pasta, salads and chargrilled chicken. ££-£££. Daily L & D. www.therainforestcafe.co.uk. 20 Shaftesbury Ave, W1D 7EU. T: 020-7434 3111. E7. Station: Piccadilly Circus.
BRITISH (MODERN) Darwin Brasserie Dine on level 36 of the ‘Walkie Talkie’, with spectacular views. ££-£££. Daily B & D; Mon-Fri L. www.skygarden.london. 20 Fenchurch St, EC3M 8AF. T: 0333-772 0020. E11. Station: Monument.
Rex Whistler Restaurant
Originally opened in 1927, this arty restaurant has a mural and serves roast beef. ££. Daily L. www.tate. org.uk. Tate Britain, Millbank, SW1P 4RG. T: 020-7887 8825. G8. Station: Pimlico.
Sophie’s Steakhouse The Soho branch of this modern steakhouse has an open kitchen and a large covered terrace at the front. ££. Daily L & D. www.sophiessteak house.com. 42-44 Great Windmill St, W1D 7ND (and branch). T: 020-7836 8836. E7. Station: Piccadilly Circus.
St Pancras by Searcys This ornate dining room in the Eurostar terminal also has a long Champagne bar. ££-£££. Daily B, L & D. www.stpancrasbysearcys.co.uk. Upper Concourse, St Pancras Station, Euston Rd, N1C 4QL. T: 020-7870 9900. C8. Station: King’s Cross St Pancras.
BRITISH (TRADITIONAL) Café in the Crypt Underneath a landmark church, this brick-vaulted café serves English dishes at reasonable prices. £. Mon-Sat B, L & D; Sun 11am-6pm. www.smitf.org. St Martin-in-the-Fields, off Trafalgar Square, WC2N 4JJ. T: 020-7766 1158. E8. Station: Charing Cross.
Cheneston’s This wood-panelled dining room has Victorian leaded windows. The menu is classic, with dishes such as venison. £££. Daily B, L & D. www.milestone hotel.com. The Milestone Hotel, 1 Kensington Court, W8 5DL. T: 020-7917 1000. Off map. Station: High Street Kensington. D7. Station: Charing Cross.
The English Grill Grand hotel restaurant with chandeliers and high ceilings. ££££. Daily B, L, D. www.rubenshotel.com. The Rubens at the Palace, 39 Buckingham Palace Rd, SW1W 0PS. T: 020-7834 6600. F6. Station: Victoria.
The Palm Court This grand lounge has palms, mirrored screens and trees. Order afternoon tea in the conservatory. Check for opening times. ££. www.ihg.com. Kimpton Fitzroy London, 1-8 Russell Square, WC1B 5BE. T: 020-3797 7282. C8. Station: Russell Square.
The Ritz Restaurant Enjoy classic British dishes in a beautiful room. Men should wear a jacket and tie. ££££. Daily B, L & D. www.theritzlondon.com. The Ritz, 150 Piccadilly, W1J 9BR. T: 020-7300 2370. E7. Station: Green Park.
Rules Plush, 200-year-old restaurant where the likes of Charles Dickens ate. ££££. Daily L & D. www.rules.co.uk. 35 Maiden Lane, WC2E 7LB. T: 020-7836 5314. E8. Station: Covent Garden.
Vivi With seasonal dishes and afternoon tea, it’s a great place for people-watching. ££. Daily B, L & D. www.vivirestaurant.co.uk. Centre Point, 11 St Giles Square, WC2H 8AP. T: 020-8812 3200. D7. Station: Tottenham Court Road.
T: Telephone number. Station: including Underground (’Tube‘) stations, railway and Docklands Light Railway. Please check for full listings, online discounts and time of last entry. References at the end of listings (A1; B5 etc.) refer to coordinates on the map on p. 80-81
THE ENGLISH GRILL © JACK HARDY
AMERICAS (NORTH & SOUTH)
66 W H E R E LO N D O N I A P R I L 2 019
WL APRIL DINING.indd 66
14/03/2019 12:07