Any foodie worth their Pink Himalayan Sea Salt will have heard of London’s Galvin at Windows. The Michelin starred restaurant has been a stalwart of the London fine-dining scene since opening in May 2006. Chef Patron Chris Galvin and his team have created seasonally inspired menus based around modern French haute cuisine. In recent years the restaurant has also gained a new star attraction, in the name of Fred Sirieix the handsome General Manager, and star of TV series First Dates.
IDEA
Undoubtedly a destination restaurant for an extravagant celebration dinner, the restaurant also offers a very reasonable lunch menu available from Monday to Friday from 12 pm until 2.30 pm for 2 courses at £31, or 3 courses at £37. The restaurant’s head chef, Joo Won, has created a Normandy menu that draws on the flavours of this gastronomic region, home to some of France’s best-known foods.
LOCATION
Situated on the 28th floor of the London Hilton on Park Lane, in the heart of Mayfair, it is renowned for its stunning views over the capital, including some of the most iconic sites: from the sky scrapers of the City and Canary Wharf, to the London Eye, Hyde Park, Buckingham Palace and Wembley Stadium. The nearest tube is Green Park.
ATMOSPHERE
The mood in the opulent, airy dining room was refreshingly relaxed for a Michelin star restaurant and service was, as you’d expect at such a restaurant, faultlessly warm and attentive. Rarely have we heard our dining-neighbors gushing about the amazing food to the waiting staff so much. They smile and nod patiently at the child-like delight on customers faces over a certain pudding or starter. This gives the restaurant the lovely ambiance of a room full of people immensely enjoying their food. And If, like us, you enjoy boasting about your wonderful dining experience, Galvin lays out blank postcards on tables with images depicting the view which they will post for customers. So you can send your boast anywhere in the world!
FOOD
The great thing about eating at a Michelin starred restaurant is you are pretty much always guaranteed to love every dish you order, leaving food-envy or disappointment not a problem. Galvin at Windows was no exception to this. Even the fresh bread basket prompting squeals of joy and squabbles over the last of its warm douhy contents. A starter of Lightly pickled mackerel, seaweed, cucumber & cider vinaigrette was beautiful as it was delicious. Simple flavours of the sea combining with the sweet tang of the pickle and vinageriette a perfect refreshing start to the meal. A main dish of fresh potato gnocchi was rich, warm and comforting with charred sweetcorn and baby leek providing a sweet counterpart to the savoury camembert laden sauce. While the Pan-fried fillet of sea bream with shellfish and french beans came served on the most memorably delicious cider and seafood velouté. Dessert was a triumph in dark Valrhona chocolate and cherry – a match made in heaven and in the hands of chef Joo Won, sheer Nirvana for anyone with half a sweet tooth.
DRINK
We strongly advise making the most of the amazing views and enjoying a cocktail before dinner in the adjoining bar. Bar Manager Tiago and his team have created a fun ‘Passport menu’ showcasing different cocktails from around the world. The ‘Italian’ – Aperol, Lemon, Gin, Ice Cream and Rosemary was divine.
MUST TRY
The Chardonnay from the vineyard of Josef Chromy (located on the Tasmania island in south Australia) the sommelier chose for us was honestly the best white wine we’ve ever had the pleasure of drinking. It tasted of creamy popcorn and butter.
WHY GO
Amazing views, handsome Frenchman, delicious food, life changing wine. What are you waiting for?
Address: 22 Park Ln, Mayfair, London W1K 1BE
Website: http://www.galvinatwindows.com/
IDEAL dined as a guest of the restaurant