This was a very unexpected visit to a very special restaurant. We had driven up to the West End to do some shopping and amazingly I got parked just of Grosvenor Square. I was slightly taken aback by getting so near to Marks on a Sunday and in a space that would be easy to get into that I though we needed to celebrate. So shopping more or less done (the trousers I bought are too short) we thought we would see if Scott's had a table for lunch.
The slight problem was though my lovely wife was dressed the part I had on long shorts, a U2 t-shirt and sandals. Walking past the tables outside where Nigella Lawson was sat with her family I was firmly of the opinion we were looking at two hopes of getting in: Bob and No. However the front of house guys were charming and I was assured my informal attire was not a problem. We were shown to a nice table and after a restorative Bloody Mary I ordered Hake with squid and potatoes and the my lovely wife had sole Goujons. Both dishes were terrific, I have been trying to eat more fish but so many restaurants fall short of the cooking on offer here. I washed it down with a nice crisp Gavi di Gavi.
We were entertained throughout the meal by the sweet septuagenarian courting couple at the next table who really should have got a room. We both decided that we deserved dessert. My wife had a lovely rhubarb ripple ice cream whilst I went for the honeycomb ice cream which was utterly amazing. Better than the superlative one I tried at "Wild Honey". This was a really top meal and a real treat for us both. At a £100 for two it wasn't cheap but we both thought our meal excellent. The service was faultless and certainly better than last time we went here with friends when there appeared to be a bit of attitude. It has to be said this really is one of the finest restaurants in London.
Monday, September 07, 2009
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 8
This a top restaurant and the prices reflect this but having eaten at similar Fish restaurants such as Bentley's and J. Sheeheys this is by far the best. The fact I wasn't done up to the nines and they still found us a table and looked after us like honoured guests speaks volumes about their ethos.