The Grill by Tom Booton

In the heart of well-heeled Park Lane, The Dorchester is one of London’s iconic hotels and dates back to 1931. The glamorous Grill restaurant is now run by an energetic and enthusiastic young team although it has retained many of its original features. There are still the parquet floors, striking chandelier and intricate gilded ceiling but a contemporary tone has been added, bringing it right up to date. Service is highly professional and friendly from a well-drilled team complete with a highly knowledgeable sommelier. In many ways, the simple menu descriptions almost downplay the quality of the cooking, with many classics rebooted and taken to a new, higher level. Start with a stuffed onion, cheese and bacon broth, or perhaps raw scallop, peas, white asparagus, kombu and kosho. Continue with a first-rate piece of stone bass with peppers, mussels and bouillabaisse or, perhaps, a playful and upmarket twist on a classic ham, egg and chips with roasted pineapple. For those happy to share, there’s a 500g rib-eye steak and a BBQ lamb saddle with morels and wild garlic salsa verde. Side dishes are equally as impressive, as in BBQ purple sprouting broccoli, garlic scapes and sunflower seeds or an inventive triple-cooked chips with gravy mayonnaise. Lemon and white chocolate millefeuille is a harmonious finale, as is the white ‘snickers’ and salted milk ice cream. A Chef’s Counter in front of the open kitchen is where guests can oversee the chefs in action. Vegetarians and vegans have plenty to choose from, perhaps starting with BBQ asparagus, Piedmont hazelnuts and radicchio salad before moving on to a main course of globe artichoke, barigoule and pickled walnuts. This being The Dorchester, expect a notable range of wines by the bottle and glass, but also some top-notch cocktails including the refreshing Cambridge Punt (gin, clementine liqueur, cocoa, lemon, rosemary syrup, peach and jasmine soda).

Awards, accolades & Welcome Schemes

3 Rosette Award for Culinary Excellence

AA Notable Wine List