The Ledbury

Still the best

Fallow deer rib, bone marrow, red cabbage

The Ledbury, for me, has been the best restaurant in London for the last 7 years. The casual fine dining restaurant in Nothing Hill has kept its 2 Michelin stars for 10 years now, unlike many other top restaurants out there, it doesn't use social media and mail marketing, chef-owner Brett Raham also has no Twitter or Instagram. It just relays on WOM to attract diners from around the world. If you ask most London based foodies, many would rate The Ledbury as the best in London and is easy to understand why with its modern, creative but refined approach in its cooking. They somehow just got the perfect balance of drama and taste. Nothing gimmicky about the style, just amazing tasting food.

Selection of canapes

White alba truffle on brioche toast

Oyster and seabream tartar, English wasabi

Winter salad, artichoke, foie gras

Warm Bantam’s Egg, Celeriac, Arbois, Dried Ham and Wild Mushrooms

For my 14th visit, as usual, I opted for the tasting menu. What set The Ledbury apart is even with its canapes, it uses high-quality ingredients and extremely refined. I especially enjoyed the white truffle on brioche toast, it was buttery rich with such a beautiful savory aroma. The monkfish tail was cooked perfectly, well seasoned with a creamy and sweet taste thanks to the white bean and the crab sauce. One of the signature dishes from The Ledbury is its pigeon and cherry, somehow they have managed to top that with a new pigeon dish that came with hen of the wood mushroom and truffle. It was rich and elegant, the meat was so moist with just the right level of earthiness, it was perfection. Another remarkable dish was the rack of fallow deer, it was tender and the use of bone marrow created a melting texture that loaded with so much umami flavours, I got nothing but love for it.

Cornish Monkfish, White Beans and Rosemary

Aged smoked pigeon

Aged pigeon, hen of the wood, truffle

Juicy smoky deer ribs

Deer kebab

Pumpkin tart

As expected, The Ledbury delivered another stunning meal, the pace of the service, the quality of the cooking, the presentation... everything was just simply outstanding. It is really strange that it only has 2 Michelin stars when the quality is so much better than the like of Sketch and Alan Ducasse. The Ledbury is also perhaps is the best value for money fine dining restaurant in London, as its menu cost already factor in services. Casual but outstanding service, together with world-class cooking, The Ledbury ticks all the boxes, and for sure I will head back again and again and again in the near future.



Food 5/5

Executive chef: 
Brett Graham


Average cost without drinks and services:
Tasting menu: £165


27 Ledbury Rd, London W11 2AQ

http://www.theledbury.com/