Fodor’s London by Fodor’s Travel

Author:Fodor’s Travel
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Fodor's Travel, Penguin Random House
Published: 2015-07-29T16:00:00+00:00

Knightsbridge

Fodor’s Choice | Ametsa with Arzak Instruction.

$$$ | SPANISH | Cool hunters and Hispanophiles bask in a fantasia of New Basque cuisine at this modernist romp at the Halkin off Belgrave Square. The father-and-daughter team of Juan Mari and Elena Arzak behind the eponymous three-Michelin-star restaurant in San Sebastián break out triumphantly at their first European venue outside Spain. You’ll love or loath the sparkling ceiling feature which undulates in a wave of 7,000 test tubes filled with golden-hue spices, and look beyond the austere stark white-gray, boxy setting. Instead, enjoy the ultrapro and passionate service, and marvel at high-spec riffs on traditional Basque dishes, such as slow-cooked hens eggs flecked with paprika-rich Chistorra cured sausage with dabs of wild cep mushrooms, pancetta, and chorizo. Lobster is updated with a white cassava powder, and seared venison appears on a black plate with pickled red chilies and an electric green mint and sea hawthorn mojo. Flawless desserts range from clove custard to an extraordinary science experiment—like hydromel mead “Fractal” surprise. | Average main: £27 | Halkin Hotel, 5 Halkin St., Knightsbridge | 0207/333–1234 | www.comohotels.com/thehalkin/dining/ametsa | No lunch Mon., no dinner Sun. | Reservations essential | Station: Hyde Park Corner, Knightsbridge.

Bar Boulud.

$$ | BRASSERIE | U.S.–based French superchef Daniel Boulud combines the best of French high-end brasserie fare with a winning dash of superior Yankee gourmet burgers and fries at this popular street-level, all-day hangout at the Mandarin Oriental in Knightsbridge. Lilliputian-size platters of the most delicate Gilles Verot charcuterie, heartier coq au vin, or white pork sausages with truffle mash compete with palm-size Yankee, Frenchie, Piggie, or signature “BB” foie gras–beef burgers and fries in black onion or sesame-seed buns. The knockout grazing menu has something for everyone, and professional but informal waitstaff make for a convivial vibe in this handy spot opposite Harvey Nichols department store. Note the £19 three-course noon–7 pm prix-fixe deals. | Average main: £21 | Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, 66 Knightsbridge, Knightsbridge | 020/7201–3899 for reservations only | www.barboulud.com/london | Reservations essential | Station: Knightsbridge.

Fodor’s Choice | Dinner by Heston Blumenthal.

$$$$ | BRITISH | Splendidly revived old English dishes executed with ultramodern precision in an open kitchen is the big schtick at Ashley Palmer-Watts’ award winner at the Mandarin Oriental (Palmer-Watts is a protégée of TV chef Heston Blumenthal, who’s closely involved). As you take in views of Hyde Park, you simply must slice into a chilled Meat Fruit appetizer (circa 1500), deceptively shaped like a mandarin, but encasing the smoothest foie gras and chicken liver parfait on the planet. A plate of Rice and Flesh (circa 1390) is a picture of yellow saffron rice with calf’s tails and red wine, and grilled octopus Frumenty (circa 1390) is a lively dish of cracked wheat cooked with lovage in a smoked sea broth from the court of Richard II. Marvel at beef royale (circa 1720) cooked sous vide for 72 hours at 56°C, plus cod in cider (circa 1940), or Spiced Pigeon (circa 1780) with ale and artichokes.

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