Fine Dining in London
I’ve either worked, done a stage or at least a trial in 99% of these restaurants. So it may seem like I’m biased but I know these restaurants inside and out. I would never work somewhere I don’t LOVE the food.
(2*)
A Heston Blumenthal institution. They serve fine dining English food, Molecular and Modern. This is a well operated machine, serving perfection every time. over the years they created quite a few signature dishes so make sure you have : the meatfruit, triple cooked chips, Tipsy cake and the ice cream trolley.
(1*)
In this restaurant, I would recommend to go for a tasting menu. Sitting on the bar is also nice, because you can stare directly into the kitchen.
(2*)
Ask most chefs what their favourite restaurant in London is and they would say “The Ledbury”. Very upscale, and sophisticated. It’s THE place to go for a special occasion. Brett is Australian and so is most of the kitchen team, the atmosphere downstairs is hectic and intense but the food that comes out of it is nowhere to be tasted.
(2*)
A 19-seater tall bar table surrounding a gorgeous kitchen, with all the chefs in the center so there isn’t a section that is out of your view. Its a very intimate and romantic setting, the food is absolutely incredible and you can ask and talk about everything with the chefs. James’s wife is the floor manager and a sommelier, but also an inspiration to me for being a BADASS woman and a mother of 2 small girls.
(2* and very spicy)
Ikoyi is the only fine dining restaurant serving West African food and bringing it to the level of well known establishments. Ingredients here are special (I haven’t heard of 90% of them) and the dishes are really different (spicy though, and without the option of asking for less spicy so beware). Jeremy is this young chef, down to earth and lovely and humble.
(1*)
Spanish food with a casual atmosphere. Serving tapas by Nieves Barragan who is a lovely lovely chef, super approachable and nice. She previously ran Barrafina which is also a great place for Spanish food.