Saturday, 24 May 2025

Wild Flowers

 Open fire Mediterranean-inspired restaurant


Baked mushroom rice, sherry, wild garlic

Tucked into the stylish Newson’s Yard development in Belgravia, Wild Flowers is a refined but relaxed Mediterranean-inspired restaurant that sidesteps the pomp of fine dining without sacrificing quality or craft. Helmed by chef Aaron Potter, whose résumé includes the Michelin-starred Trinity and Elystan Street, Wild Flowers delivers a sharply focused menu built around seasonal ingredients and live-fire cooking. I visited when it was opened not long ago before Christmas back in 2024, and it delighted me that I have decided to return in 2025. 
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Victor Garvey Restaurant at Midland Grand

Great, but could be better

Canapes

​The Midland Grand Dining Room is not new to me, as I was a fan of its refined French food when it was overseen by chef Patrick Powell. He has since moved on, and the place is now under the guidance of Michelin-starred chef Victor Garvey. Garvey's approach marries traditional French haute cuisine with contemporary flair, resulting in dishes that are both elegant and innovative. His offering is for sure in the fine dining end with 2 tasting menus on offer, so it appears it is gunning for a Michelin star. The restaurant's ambiance, characterized by its Gothic charm and modern elegance, provides a fitting backdrop for the culinary artistry on display.

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Ibai

Pure class 


Grilled sweetbread in green peppercorn sauce

I am a super fan of Ibai, tucked just off the heavy footfall of St Paul’s. There’s no overstated rustic décor or theatrical fancy elements; instead, the food is 'what you see is what you get', with a focus so pure it feels like a statement. It’s clear from the moment you sit down that the point here is not to distract you with noise or gimmicks. The menu reads short, deceptively plain, but each dish is tuned to precision. Ibai serves calm, confident food, built on an obsessive attention to ingredients and technique, with most dishes cooked on an open fire. The below covers by 9th and 10th visits. 
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Saturday, 10 May 2025

Hélène Darroze at The Connaught

Total fine dining package


Red mullet, hazelnut, rhubarb


Nestled within the luxurious Connaught Hotel in Mayfair, Hélène Darroze at The Connaught delivers a three-Michelin-starred dining experience that balances refined elegance with warm hospitality. The menu, crafted by Chef Hélène Darroze, is a celebration of her French roots blended seamlessly with the finest British ingredients. Each course, presented with impeccable precision, demonstrates a deep understanding of flavor, texture, and seasonality. I have been here a few times in the past, for my 11th visit, I got the chance to enjoy a tasting menu at its chef's table, overlooking the busy open kitchen.

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Oma

New rising star 


ajvar, mizithra, hazelnuts


Tucked away in the heart of Borough Market, Oma is a Greek-inspired restaurant that has quickly gained a reputation and become one of the most popular London restaurant openings of 2024. Oma, which means “mother” in Greek, pays homage to the rich heritage of Greek cuisine while embracing modern techniques and global influences. Upon entering Oma, diners are met with a sleek crudo bar showcasing fresh seafood selections, emphasizing the restaurant’s dedication to high-quality ingredients and minimalist, ingredient-driven dishes. It has landed itself a Michelin star in the 2025 guide.

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Brooklands by Claude Bosi

 Hotel fine dining done right


White asparagus, hazelnut, and anchovies

Brooklands by Claude Bosi feels like a restaurant designed to prove a point — that luxury doesn’t have to mean predictable. Tucked into the top floor of the Peninsula London, it trades on grandeur but keeps a lightness of touch. The space is sleek and modern, with subtle nods to British engineering heritage, but it wisely avoids falling into themed gimmickry. Bosi’s stamp is everywhere: inventive, unforced, and grounded in deep technique. He’s known for pushing boundaries, but here he focuses that energy into refinement rather than theatrics.
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Cornus

Classy British fine dining

Seabass tartare, oyster, apple, shiso

​Cornus, located near Victoria Station in London's Eccleston Yards, is the latest venture from the team behind Chelsea's esteemed Medlar restaurant. Situated on the top floor of the renovated Ice Factory building, Cornus offers diners a refined ambiance with white tablecloths and diffused natural light. The culinary direction at Cornus is led by Executive Head Chef Gary Foulkes, whose impressive resume includes tenures at The Square and the Michelin-starred Angler, Gary is a talented chef, and I have been to Cornus 2 times before. I returned once again after Cornus just landed itself a Michelin star in the 2025 guide.

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The Cocochine

Perhaps the best non starred fine dining joint in London


caviar canapes

Opened in 2024, The Cocochine nestled in Mayfair at 27 Bruton Place, is a four-story restaurant that harmoniously blends fine dining with art. The Cocochine's interior exudes understated elegance, featuring herringbone parquet flooring, brown leather chairs, and a marble wine island. The intimate ground-floor dining area comprises just eight tables, each subtly separated to create private dining experiences. Chef Jayasekara, formerly head chef at Michelin-starred Pétrus and a National Chef of the Year winner, brings a wealth of experience to The Cocochine. The menu showcases imaginative and ornately presented dishes, with most of its seafood sourced from its own farm Tanera Mòr in Scotland.

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Sunday, 23 March 2025

Restaurant Gordon Ramsay High

Sky high fine dining by Gordon Ramsay


native lobster, caviar, pumpkin


London’s fine dining scene has reached new heights—literally. The newly opened Restaurant Gordon Ramsay High in Bishopsgate is making waves as one of the most exclusive and breathtaking dining experiences in the City. Located on the 60th floor of 22 Bishopsgate, it is an intimate 12-seat Chef’s table offering a blind 8-course tasting menu, designed to provide an immersive and theatrical dining experience, where guests can witness the artistry and precision of a three-Michelin-starred team working right in front of them while overlooking the jaw-dropping panoramic views of London’s skyline.

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Friday, 14 February 2025

The Ledbury

Don of London's fine dining

Chinese water deer 4 ways, artichoke

I have almost lost count of how many times I have been to The Ledbury (25 times!), situated in the heart of Notting Hill, London, which has been a cornerstone of the city's fine dining scene since its inception in 2005 and won the prestigious award of three Michelin stars in 2024. The restaurant is renowned for its commitment to seasonal ingredients, many of which are sourced from their own livestock, including deer, Jersey cows, and Iberian pigs. This dedication to quality is evident in their meticulously crafted tasting menus, which offer a harmonious blend of flavors and textures.

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Dorian

British Bristo, fine dining price


Crab and artichoke rosti


Dorian is an interesting restaurant, it became very popular ever before it gained a Michelin star, it presents itself as a refined yet approachable neighborhood dining spot, effortlessly blending modern elegance with a touch of classic charm using open-fire cooking methods. Renowned for its focus on locally sourced ingredients and inventive dishes. While it does look like a casual and modern bistro, the menu is loaded with luxury offerings, from caviar, and lobster to langoustine, therefore depending on what you go for, you can end up easily spending more than  £100 per person.

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Ibai

London steak champ 

Grilled red prawns with caviar


Ibai was the restaurant opening of the year in London last year. Since its opening in the summer of 2024, I have been seven times. The establishment is a collaboration between chef Richard Foster, formerly of Chiltern Firehouse, and the team behind renowned meat supplier Txuleta. The menu at Ibai showcases a variety of Basque dishes, with a notable emphasis on premium meats. A standout offering is the Galician T-bone steak, praised for its exceptional quality. For my 8th visit, I was able to try some old classics as well as some new seasonal specials.

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Hakkasan Hanway Place

 The OG Chinese fine dining joint in London


Char siu, radish and mustard

It has been more than 20 years since Hakkasan launched in London. It has taken Chinese cuisine upmarket which at that time, was revolutionary. Few names hold as much prestige when it comes to Chinese fine dining in London as Hakkasan. With its signature blend of contemporary Cantonese cuisine, and stylish, club vibe ambiance, it has firmly established itself as a must-visit destination for food lovers, jet-setters, and those looking for an elevated dining experience. For my 7th visit, I revisited mostly its signature dishes which have been around since day 1.

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Prince Arthur Belgravia

Hit-and-miss Spanish affair


Tuna, Caviar, Urchin, Turbot Dripping Potatoes


Prince Arthur is a brand new pub opening in Belgravia, it features a Spanish restaurant within, which champions seafood and luxury items such as caviar and lobster. During my recent visit to Prince Arthur in Belgravia, I found the experience to be underwhelming, especially considering its price point and the top-quality ingredients it uses (which means is not easy to mess things up!). Starters are in the region of £20 and mains £30, with desserts, service, and drinks, this place would easily set you back £100 per person so I had an expectation.

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Café François

Classic French charm the London way


Rôtisserie porchetta, Toulouse sausage, sauerkraut


Nestled in the bustling heart of London Bridge, Café François exudes Parisian charm from the moment you step through its doors with its quaint bistro tables and ambient lighting. I enjoy how it captured the spirit of a Parisian café with an effortless blend of sophistication and warmth. The interior is adorned with vintage French posters, rustic wooden furniture, and an open kitchen that allows you to watch the chefs craft their culinary masterpieces. The menu is a love letter to French cuisine, showcasing an array of classic dishes like snail and onion soup. I went twice in January to sample various dishes from its ACL menu.

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Tuesday, 11 February 2025

Michelin

A list of Michelin-starred restaurants I have covered in my blog. By no means, Michelin is the perfect restaurant guide, but still, a decent source when it comes to searching for top-level dining experience and a guide that is respected by top chefs around the world. 


* Rating as of 2025 guide

 UK


64 Goodge Street* (2nd)

Alain Ducasse at the Dorchester***





Alex Dilling at Hotel Café Royal** (5th)

 Angler* (1sit visit)

Angler* (2nd visit)

Angler* (3rd visit)

 A Wong*

Behind*

 Brat* (1st)

Brat* (2nd)

Brat* (3rd)

Brookland** (1st)

Brookland** (2nd)
Core** (1st visit)

 Core** (2nd visit)

Core*** (3rd visit)

Club Gascon* (1st visit)

 Club Gascon* (2nd visit)

 Claude Bosi at Bibendum* (1st visit)



Cornus* (1st)

Cornus* (3rd)

Da Terra* (1st)




Endo*
Elystan Street*

Galvin La Chapelle* (1st visit)

 Galvin La Chapelle* (2nd visit)

 Galvin La Chapelle* (3rd visit)

 Galvin La Chapelle* (4th visit)

Galvin La Chapelle* (5th visit)

Harwood Arms* (2nd visit)

Harwood Arms* (3rd visit)

Harwood Arms* (4th visit)

Harwood Arms* (5th visit)
Helene Darroze at the Connaught** (3rd visit)

Helene Darroze at the Connaught** (4th visit)

Helene Darroze at the Connaught** (5th visit)

 Helene Darroze at the Connaught** (6th visit)

 Helene Darroze at the Connaught** (7th visit)




Helene Darroze at the Connaught*** (11th visit)

Humo*

 Hide* (1st visit)

Hide* (2nd visit)

Ikoyi**

Kitchen Table* (1st visit)

 Kitchen Table** (2nd visit)

 Kitchen Table** (3rd visit)

Kitchen Table** (4th visit)

Kitchen Table** (5th visit)

 Kitchen W8* (2nd visit)

 La Trompette* (1st visit)

La Trompette* (2nd visit)

 Lyle's* (1st)

 Lyle's* (2nd)

Lyle's* (3rd)

Lyle's* (4th)

Lita* (1st)



Mountain* (1st visit)

Mountain* (2nd visit)

 Nut Tree Inn* (1st)

 Nut Tree Inn* (2nd visit)

Ormer* (2nd visit)

Oma* (1st visit)

Oma* (2nd visit)

Oma* (3rd visit)




Row on 5*

 Portland* (1st visit)

Portland* (2nd visit)

Portland* (3rd visit)

Sketch (1st visit)**

 Sketch (2nd visit)***

Sketch (3rd visit)***
 
Story* (1st visit)

Story** (2nd visit)

Sollip*

 St John* (1st visit)

St John* (2nd visit)

St Barts* (1st visit)

St Barts* (2nd visit)

Taku*

 The Clove Club* (1st visit)

 The Clove Club* (2nd visit)

The Clove Club* (3rd visit)

The Clove Club** (4th visit)

 Trishna* (2nd visit)

The Ritz* (1st)


The Ninth* (2nd)

 The Five Fields* (1st visit)

 The Five Fields* (2nd visit)

The Five Fields* (3rd visit)

The Five Fields* (4th visit)

The Five Fields* (5th visit)
The Coach Marlow*

 The Hind Heads*

 Waterside Inn*** (2nd visit)

 Sabor* (1st visit)

 Sabor* (2nd visit)

Sabor* (3rd visit)

Sabor* (4th visit)

Sabor* (5th visit)




The Ledbury** (2nd visit)

The Ledbury** (3rd visit)

The Ledbury** (4th visit)

The Ledbury** (5th visit)

The Ledbury** (6th visit)

The Ledbury** (7th visit)

The Ledbury** (8th visit)

The Ledbury** (9th visit)

The Ledbury** (10th visit)

The Ledbury** (11th visit)

The Ledbury** (12th visit)

The Ledbury** (13th visit)

The Ledbury** (14th visit)

The Ledbury** (15th visit)

The Ledbury** (16th visit)

The Ledbury** (17th visit)

The Ledbury** (18th visit)

The Ledbury** (19th visit)

The Ledbury*** (20th visit)

The Ledbury*** (21st visit)

The Ledbury*** (22nd visit)

The Ledbury*** (23rd visit)

The Ledbury*** (24th visit)

The Ledbury*** (25th visit)


Sadly no longer with us

Greenhouse** (2nd visit)

Greenhouse** (3rd visit)

Greenhouse** (4th visit)

Le Gavroche** (1st)

Le Gavroche** (2nd)

Le Gavroche** (3rd)

Le Gavroche** (4th)

La Dame de Pic* (1st visit)

La Dame de Pic* (2nd visit)

La Dame de Pic** (3rd visit)




 Spain

 Azurmendi***

 Akelare*** (1st visit)

Akelare*** (2nd visit)

 Arzak***

 El Celler de Can Roca***

 Martín Berasategui*** (1st visit)

 Martín Berasategui*** (2nd visit)


ABaC***


Lasarte** (1st visit)

Lasarte*** (2nd visit)

Noor***

Alkimia*







Canabota* (2nd visit)

Dos Palillos*















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