London - Restaurant Gordon Ramsay

Every detail of this restaurant is carefully considered, then further refined.

There are no flaws in the service. The waiting staff hover invisibly, instantly available when required.

Sadly the opening line was, “What are you here to celebrate?”

Whilst we do enjoy home cooking on a regular basis, going out to lunch at a smart restaurant does not need to be a celebration.  Perhaps we looked so poor, there was no way we could afford to be in such an establishment without major cause for celebration.

“The camel’s promotion to Michelin Star awarding status?”

“The news that the doctors are 90% sure the camel’s leprosy is cured?”

We carefully considered the options

The two men sitting next to us were clearly celebrating yet another year of discreetly hiding their gay affair from their wives.  (Well who would have thought to look for them in Gordon Ramsay’s showcase closet?)

Relieved that they received the same opening gambit, I missed their answer to this and the next question, seemingly asked to every patron,

“Who is the host today?” 

“Well I’m the parasite and the camel’s the host. Isn’t it obvious?”, retorted my companion (silently)

The ambience is staid. The restaurant is so perfect it is almost clinical. One thing Gordon Ramsay does ensure is that everyone has a decent sized table. The covers are certainly not crammed in and, despite the formal atmosphere, one has a relaxed feeling of space.

Whilst perusing the menu it would be rude not to accept the offer of a “coupe” of champagne. I say coupe (in the finest French tradition), because a glass is normally a little larger. It is only when the bill arrives that you will discover that your rose champagne aperitif costs 14 pounds.

We opted for three courses of the A La Carte menu at £85.

The 7 course Menu Prestige is £110, or you can opt for the 3 course Set Lunch at £40.

Check the menus out on the web site. Even the full wine list is available on line, so you can decide before you arrive.

The food is fabulous, as you would expect.  All the waiting staff and the sommelier know exactly what each guest has ordered, and everyone seems to contribute to your banquet.

The space dust and white chocolate truffles were delicious, disguised as a ‘Clanger’ style Martian trees – silver with a pearl glaze.  These were served with white chocolate covered strawberry ice cream balls – presented in dry ice, clearly not exclusively the domain of Heston Blumenthal.

The best choice of dessert is without doubt “Assiette de l’Aubergine” (for two) which provides a taster of every dessert on the menu.

Our lunch, including a £112 bottle of wine, the rose champagne and two glasses of dessert wine came to £397. It was well worth it.

In hindsight, I guess we were celebrating securing a table at one week’s notice. This restaurant normally books three months in advance.

Restaurant Gordon Ramsay
68 Royal Hospital Road
London SW3

+44 207 352 4441

http://www.gordonramsay.com/royalhospitalroad