FOOD & DRINK • REVIEW
ABSOLUTELY eats out…
“Mayfair’s Galvin at Windows is an utterly spoiling experience”
Food with a view
Galvin at Windows has panoramic views and exceptional food By Georgia mcveigh
I
t’s obvious why Mayfair’s Galvin At Windows was awarded a Michelin star. Located on the 28th floor of the Hilton Park Lane, from the moment we walk in, the staff are attentive down to a T. Our table is positioned in the window, boasting panoramic views over Buckingham Palace. There’s even the option to send a free postcard with the exceptional views on the front – which of course, we do. Serving high quality French food with an Asian twist,
62
Head Chef Joo Won has created his own Korean Dégustation Menu and it is exceptional. The raw Orkney Scallops come first, served with cucumber, kohlrabi and sweet chilli. Every mouthful is a delight; the softness of the scallops is played off against the crisp cucumber parcels, all drawn together by the sweet acidity of the sweet chilli. The scallops are followed by a seasonal vegetable salad; light enough to save room for the courses to come. Even my
FOOD Michelin starred French food with an Asian twist
DECOR Sheet windows and smart tables to highlight the view
PRICE Expensive but worth it
VERDICT Exceptional food in a beautiful setting
companion, who is a sworn enemy of vegetables in all forms, professes himself a fan. Soft Shell Crab comes next, crunchy on the outside and deliciously soft on the inside, swimming in a tofu, barley, courgette and soybean stew. Next ccomes the real highlight of the menu, a flaky and succulent baked hake, with a Compté crust, spicy Iberico pork and cabbage. The fish melts in the mouth, combining perfectly with the saltiness of the pork, and the cheese crust adds a tangy twist to the dish. As we watch the sun setting over London, our final main arrives – a braised short rib with kimchi and pare-jang risotto. The meat is melt-in-the-mouth, so soft that it needs the bite from the risotto to provide some texture. The whole experience is rounded off with a light yoghurt sorbet with shizo and hibiscus, followed by an equally light summer fruit salad with strawberry juice, melon ice cream and frothy lemon foam, perfect to round off a large meal. All in all, for an utterly spoiling evening and exceptionally good food, this is one to write home about. ● GALVIN AT WINDOWS 22 Park Lane, Mayfair, London, W1K; galvinatwindows.com
A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s
SE_Aug18_FOOD REVIEW.indd 62
27/07/2018 15:45