Mews of Mayfair

They are damn good purée-ers at Mews of Mayfair, a swanky, but not outlandish four tier address a few hundred cobbles from Handel’s House Museum and hidden from Oxford Street. Each floor reflects a different temperament… From discreetly glamorous, loosely 1920s basement lounge to humming ground floor cocktail bar (come afternoon tea parlour) festooned with 18th century chandelier and Chesterfields. A stairway with wallpaper similar to nearby Mirabelle leads up to the clean, cream, but not minimalist restaurant, with private dining for two dozen provided in the vaulted loft above. The latter has Empire mapped walls, shaved beams and a soundproofed glazed view into the world of the Antipodean chefs frantically serving all areas.

Within the restaurant, however, matters initially feel a little wedding breakfast, especially when the poised Pommery NV arrives. Favours, anyone? A magnificent clock petrified at ten to eleven gazes out at a room drenched in ivory white. Bleached leather seating is ergonomically perfect. Hand-applied subdued butterflies flutter upon silk embroidered walls. Eggshell window-frames channel brightening sun, refracted off a line-up of silver tipped white teapots. However attentive, conversational, black-shirted - in one case macho - waiters surmounts the feminine status quo…

The warm, firm breads brought with sweetened, beaten, salt crystal sprinkled Normandy butter heralded good things ahead. I enjoyed lathered lobster bisque (puréed crustaceans) then flavoursome corn fed chicken (as opposed to fowl raised on fishmeal or soya) heightened by puréed cauliflower with girolles. Chefs find chicken boring, according to Anthony Bourdain in his extraordinarily adrenal book ‘Kitchen Confidential’. I find it boring too, although this tender version had integrity. My dessert: swathes of puréed strawberries with balsamic treacle, chocolate basil and crunchy ice cream. An ’05 straight Bourgogne Pinot Noir from Domaine Joseph Faiveley felt a little stretched: dilute, hard, bitter and ungracious.

Traps include roast sage scented side, Charlotte Potatoes, feverishly priced at £4.50 and ‘bio bottle’ Belu mineral water (£5), albeit served in really comfortable glasses with subtly rounded bases.This is a venue where detailed attention has been given to all aspects including the bijou loos with gold wallpaper, wave sensors (!) and smartly polished antique-looking fittings.
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Douglas
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 7
Monday, February 18, 2008

I am not sure I have been to a more handsome dining room in London; I am not sure there is a more attractive, neatly apportioned dining room in London. This place isn't particularly cheap, but for a special occasion it's difficult, if not impossible, to fault (would that I could go every day). Not sure where they get their staff from but I suspect it's a model agency. Service is tip-top, food marvellous. I can't rate this place highly enough.
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Jack Lloyd Jones
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 6
Tuesday, August 28, 2007

Mews of Mayfair was a fantastic experience from start to finish. From the very attentive and attractive staff to the sumptuous dishes. The service was impeccable and despite my girlfriends pernickity diet our waitress Lizzie displayed an excellent knowledge of the menu and it's ingredients which meant my girlfriend could order exactly what she wanted. I, on the other hand indulged in some Foie Gras to die for, the best Steak I've had in a long time and some sort of chocolate heaven in pastry to round it off. My only complaint was that I could barely move I'd eaten so much but then maybe I should take a leaf off my girlfriends plate. It's pretty costly but worth every penny I'd say.
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Fred Hughes
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 8
Tuesday, August 07, 2007

I actually visited Mews a while back but was talking last night to a friend about taster menus and it conjurred up rather great memories.

The decor was understated - I'm always a fan of white table cloths and nice crockery. Liked the atmosphere although there were 5 of us that evening - all of whom were great company so that may be skewing it,

I wouldn't describe it as great value but the food was super - i think with Taster menus that what you really get a carefully planned extravangaza for your palatte. It didn't disappoint.

So if you don't mind the financial hit - I'd recommend it.
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Smelliotta - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 4
Friday, July 20, 2007

I have eaten here twice recently (once in the gorgeous private dining room, decked in unique cartographic wallpaper with a lovely chandelier). The squid pasta with chorizo is very good for starter, as were the crab cakes. I have had the rabbit and sea bass as mains- both were very good. I tasted my friend's fillet- and it was sublime: definitely on the list for next time. Deserts were of a similarly high standard and there is a comprehensive wine selection.

Service was friendly and knowledgeable- I didnt find it 'in your face' at all..

My only disappointment first time round was that the fod was warm ,not piping hot as I like it, but this did not seem to be a problem the second time.
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Nick E
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 7
Monday, June 18, 2007

Popped into Mews on a Sunday lunch time as we were hungry post shopping spree. Got to say so pleased I did as the food and service was top notch. Fantastic lobster risoto and sea bass. I see some people had trouble with the evening meals...cant comment on that but I understand the 2 hour table frustration. It's not ideal. On the strength of lunch I'll definitely be going back.
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Hazie
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 8
Monday, February 19, 2007

Great experience. The menu was diverse enough without being too obscure. From the starters (try the Jalapeno Yellowtail) to the mains (Venison Wellington - exquisite) the food was very good. Service was attentive without being invasive, and the winelist was very reasonable - with eminently drinkable wines under £100 and quite a few below £50.

All in all a very good meal and a good vibe - the tables are sufficiently spaced out to have privacy but not so much that you feel you're dining in an airport lounge.

Finally to the bar downstairs for great cocktails and chilled atmosphere. Definitely worth a visit.
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JB
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 8
Monday, December 18, 2006

The Mews has an excellent website - pity it did not live up to it! We arrived about five minutes early to be met by one of the most surly doormen I have had the pleasure to meet. No greeting, just a grunted "Yes?" The receptionist inside told us we were early "...so the table isn't ready. Get a drink in the bar." Definately made to feel welcome (!) The table became available 30 minutes later (25 mins late) which would normally be accepted except that we were made to feel at fault. The service continued in a similar maner "Ready to order then?" only a few minutes after the menus arrived! Some of the cutlery was missing from the place settings and there was one knapkin short. And the food - bland and unimaginative. I appreciate that most London restaurants are rushed in December (as was this one) but that is no excuse. Being employed in the hotel industry I could be accused of looking for problems but the opinions of the other three guests were similar to mine, it wasn't just me on an off day and none of us will be returning in a hurry.
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Overall rating
Food 4 | Service 3 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 3
Thursday, December 14, 2006

Having been to Mews several times for drinks, I thought it was about time to give the place a chance for dining. A review from Time-Out magazine lifted expectations even higher. We arrived and were informed about a time limit on our table of 2 hours. Nothing wrong in this for a normal place, but a restaurant that prides itself with two taster menus should consider different policy. Seating took place and during the whole evening the staff had an attitude towards everyone - "why would I want to serve you"... We ordered and the first course of the taster menu came in LESS than 2 minutes. This clearly tells me that the first course (which was a cold dish) was premade and waiting on a plate in the kitchen.

We managed to "keep" the table for 2,5 hours and after this we took off. All in all the place is substantially overpriced and for the same money other places in the area will provide a better deal.
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Torben Friis
Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 4 | Value for money 2
Sunday, November 12, 2006

I've just discovered this amazing hidden treasure right in the middle London in a beautiful Mews. The food was exquisit, we had the tasting menu with the most incredibly succulent lamb as well as about 4 other dishes. The staff made us feel like royalty and even managed to swing us a table in the exclusive bar downstairs where we stayed and partied in the glamourous atmosphere till the early hours.
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editorialmoo - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Monday, November 06, 2006