The top line: The Dorchester’s long-standing grill restaurant has a new menu, name and chef. Following the departure of Tom Booton earlier this year, the five-star Mayfair hotel’s executive chef Martyn Nail has assumed full control of the space. The project is being billed as a return to the nearly 100-year-old restaurant’s roots, while also reflecting contemporary dining trends with some lighter options and a more flexible format with dishes in general designed with sharing in mind. Nail - who joined The Dorchester from rival hotel Claridge’s a few years ago - will work alongside head chef Jacob Keen-Downs, who held senior roles at Notting Hill’s Gold and Hammersmith’s Sam’s Riverside.
On the menu: Nail’s menu is focused on updated grill room classics. Lighter options include Portland crab with Marie Rose sauce and apple; smoked salmon with soda bread; and blue fin tuna tartare with ponzu and avocado. Main course dishes include cheese soufflé with black autumn truffle, endive and mustard salad; a fish pie; grilled native lobster and a selection of steaks. There are also some larger ‘for the table dishes’ that include a beef Wellington and roast rack of lamb. Given the five-star setting, prices aren’t extreme with starters averaging out at about £16 and most mains priced between £30 and £40. There’s also a set lunch menu that includes Welsh rarebit on sourdough crumpet with pickled walnut and chives; steak with fries and peppercorn sauce; and sherry trifle that is competitively priced at £38 or £42 for two or three courses respectively.
The vibe: Unsurprisingly given the room had a complete overhaul in 2019 as Booton came onboard, very little has changed decoratively speaking. Design details include a semi-open kitchen, chandeliers and banquettes in Bentley leather. But one thing that will change the feel of the pace is a new fleet of trolleys that allows the team to serve and even prepare some of the dishes table side.
And another thing: Inspired by the Sherry Room that was once part of the The Dorchester’s F&B portfolio, The Grill at The Dorchester is going big on sherry with a dedicated list and a daily ‘Sherry Moment’ where the fortified wine is served straight from the barrel between 6pm and 7pm.
53 Park Lane, London W1K 1QA // www.dorchestercollection.com