lunches at Galvin at Windows...

Galvin at Windows, my favourite restaurant with a view... Perched high above London on top of the Hilton, it's has enviable vistas from every window. The greatest joy is that no matter how many times you've been, you notice something new...

I was meeting up with my darling Valerie and the effervescent Sarah (she of the excellent Brock Hall Farm goat's cheese).  Galvin was unanimously chosen as our venue - indeed Valerie and I became friends because of Galvin - we're both utterly addicted to André Garrett's foie gras, duck pastilla and date consommé - it's one of our favourite dishes anywhere.

lunches on the Game Menu at Tom Kitchin...

Crudites, with a  blue cheese dip

We met Tom Kitchin at the Cube pop-up earlier in the year, and were seriously impressed by both the simplicity of his dishes, and the complexity of his flavours.  Tom has years of classical training, and brings those skills to bear on the excellent seasonal produce close to his restaurant in Leith.  Indeed such is the pride in the provenance of produce that diners are presented with a little map of Scotland detailing exactly where ingredients have been sourced...

dines on the Land and Sea menu by Tom Kitchin...

Perched high above the South Bank, The Cube pop-up was sponsored by Electrolux.  Many of our favourite chefs, including Daniel Clifford, Simon Rogan and the very lovely Tom Kitchin held weekly court at The Cube for several months in 2012, providing a snapshot of their usual menu.

lunches at The Royal Oak in Paley Street...

The Royal Oak is a quaint Michelin starred pub out in Paley Street, close to Ascot, Marlow and Bray.  The chef, Dominic Chapman comes to the Oak via the Hinds Head at Bray, and the manager, Mo Gherras is ex Petrus.

Lots of my chums had been to the Royal Oak at Paley Street, and I was very happy when Steve Whitelock suggested we meet there.

dines at Dinner by Heston Blumenthal...

I felt somewhat apprehensive about booking a table at Dinner by Heston Blumenthal - it feels as though everything that can be said about the experience, has been said.  Yet as a technical cook any Blumenthal offering surely had to be on my list to try.  So at the prescribed hour I duly rang, got straight through, and very quickly made my booking.

dines at Galvin at Windows

Galvin at Windows is a bit of a favourite in our house, not least because it's wonderfully friendly and relaxed.  Add to that the near 360o views of London from its high perch on the twenty-eighth floor of the Hilton at Hyde Park, and it's difficult to beat.

The kitchens are run by Head Chef André Garrett, now well-known for his appearances on The Great British Menu, and Chris Galvin is the Chef Patron.

dines at Seven Park Place

The St James Hotel and Club is hidden away in right in the heart of St James, and despite knowing the area well, I was surprised to discover the gated courtyard hidden at the end of Park Place.  The hotel is discreet and eminently well-placed, and I can imagine would appeal enormously to wealthier tourists.  The hotel's restaurant, Seven Park Place, is run by Christophe Thuilot, formerly at Capital and William Drabble, previously at Aubergine is the Executive Chef. Excellent credentials then, and as we were attending a viewing of the Impressionist sale at Christies in King Street, it seemed a very convenient choice for dinner.

dines at Galvin at Windows....

Just a quickie today :0) And be warned - the word fabulous is going to appear rather a lot!

Last night I had dinner at Galvin's on Park Lane. We'd been at the Serpentine Party, and for once I was actually ravenous when we arrived at the restaurant.

Depending on your sensibilities, Galvin either has a fabulous location, way up in the Hilton and with breathtaking views over London, or perhaps has dizzying effects on your stomach as you peer over the edge. The restaurant itself is very nicely laid out, and with a multi-tier effect, you don't feel the space so much. I assume it was laid out in this way to afford everyone a decent view out of the window...

dines at Lucknam Park...

I spent a few days at Lucknam last week, to recharge the old batteries before the 8 week onslaught of 4 young children on their summer break. I had been to Lucknam several times before - well over a decade ago and before we had children - when the idea of a spa hotel still held charm, not challenge...