An Appetite for Opulence at Quaglinos
Stepping into Quaglino’s is like stepping into history. Leave your Brexit worries and January Blues at the door as you sink into an opulent haven of fine dining and high living.
As we stood atop the sweeping staircase, gazing into the depths of a buzzing and beautiful dining room, we knew we were in for a treat. Belle had booked in for a pre-Christmas celebration and the floor was filled with like-minded Londoners. Laughter and chatter filled the air, as staff glided gracefully between tables bursting with colour.
Elegantly restored private dining rooms line the mezzanine along from the balcony bar, and from every angle you can’t help but gaze at the restaurant below.
Nestled behind the impressive centrepiece bar, we chose from the lunchtime menu and were poured a carafe of Chenin Blanc by the charming Ricardo as we soaked up the atmosphere.
Parsnip velouté poured over lime and pomegranate kaffir; Smoked duck breast with kumquat purée and pickled cranberries; the starters were as instagrammable as they were delicious. Presented with care and bursting with flavour, an exciting warm up before the main act.
Quaglino’s restaurant is set in the basement behind an unassuming entrance in a quiet Mayfair side street. The space is huge and light, and on further inspection at one end a dense black curtain hides a stage for regular live music performances including during the venue’s famous bottomless weekend brunches.
We weren’t here to catch a show, sadly, but the stars of our show were the wild mushroom and autumn truffle risotto and the braised ox cheek with pomme mousseline and red wine jus.
Tender enough to fall apart at the slightest nudge of a fork prong and packed with flavour and depth, the ox cheek has to be the highlight of this Belle’s culinary year.
Ricardo masterfully switched us to a South African Pinotage to compliment our main, and it’s the intuitive and seamless service that puts Quaglinos at the top of the game when it comes to class.
Dessert choices of Tonka Bean pannacotta, lemon and white chocolate crème brûlée, Valrhona 70% chocolate fondant, and Montracet goats cheese with truffled honey, were mindblowing.
The pannacotta won, and was a worthy champion.
Thriving as a late night bar and, later, also a fine-dining restaurant since the 1920s, Quaglino’s is synonymous with quality and style. Brunch it, lunch it, dinner or supper it; Whatever your reason, or your excuse, for dining out in London, Quaglinos should be top of your must-go list. It’s certainly top of our must-return.
- #Ad
- Belle was #gifted lunch for the purpose of an honest review.
- Quaglinos, 16 Bury Street, London, SW1Y 6AJ. Nearest Tube Green Park.
