Bonhams Restaurant (Mayfair)

• I decided to meet up with Andy for lunch which was actually an excuse to drink some nice wine
• Was on my list of restaurants to visit so it was an easy decision of where we would dine
• Bonhams opened this year in 2015 with very little media fanfare
• It was opened with the main purpose of having a convenient place for the auction house to take their clients to for lunch
• It explains why Bonhams was initially only open for lunch
• The dining room is easily the most boring you&rsquo
• Re a few steps away from rooms filled with the most exciting art and antiques
• Unique dining experiences are all the rage these days
• I wondered if the picture would be completed with Jeeves appearing to offer assistance
• The service was efficient and smooth but did not have enough bowing and scraping as would be expected from a typical servant experience
• I absolutely hate when my food expectations are way off and a restaurant disappoints
• Some dishes like the blanc manger were good but the setting and service didn&rsquo
• Head chef Tom Kemble's cooking is modern French in essence
• It used to only operate for lunch service on weekdays so it was pretty much impossible to book in unless you have taken a day off
• The restaurant had deservingly been awarded a Michelin star and they are now open for dinner three days a week
• The other reason is that despite having a separate entrance to the auction house
• The restaurant is actually quite well hidden away and you are not going to chance upon it
• Kang from London Eater had kindly arranged an 8 course tasting menu giving carte blanche to Tom Kemble and his kitchen to cook whatever they felt was best on the day
• Especially when those spaces are designed with the purpose of serving fine cuisine
• It would seem like this strategy is the secret behind Bonham restaurant's success only within six months of opening the restaurant secured its first michelin star
• Bonham's restaurant is located within the well known auction house of the same name
• The restaurant is well lit and spacious
• The decor fairly simple with art from the auction house adorning the walls
• I opted to have the Carte Blanche menu which was priced at 100gbp per person
• Shorter tasting menus and a la carte menus are also on offer
• 63c Porthilly Rock Oyster (10/10) The intensity of the oyster was well enhanced by the accompanying dulce
• The accompanying sour apple granita was a welcome accoutrement
• Though the truffle was generously atop the alleged truffle flan I found it to be quite muted
• The cheese atop the flan was easily the most dominant flavor in the dish
• Isle of Mull Scallop (8/10) The texture of the puree was decadent and finding nice balance with the accompanying parsley coulis
• The scallop was flawlessly cooked and meaty in texture
• Venison Tartare (8/10) The meat was consistently chopped
• Beef Cheek Ravioli (7/10) I wish the horseradish in the dish was stronger as I feel that would have helped in tying everything together
• The broth was beautifully clean tasting and the cheek ravioli was aggressively beefy
• The offal sauce was intensely evocative of what it promised while being balanced and kept in line with the beetroot and incredibly sweet rhubarb
• Granny Smith Apple Sorbet (7/10) I tend to like richer pre desserts so this was certainly up my alley
• Chocolate Sabayon Tart (10/10) When I was presented with this tart I was in awe of how massive the serving was
• The lightness of this tart is ridiculous
• One of the best desserts I've had in quite some time
• I think the quality of cooking is comparable to many of it's two star competitors in Mayfair
• I first heard of the restaurant at Bonhams from a work colleague when it was still only a Thursday night supperclub
• Wrote about his experiences and posted many a photo on Instagram and with each post I wanted to eat there more and more

Read More