Seven Park Place

"Overpriced but goodish food. Cheese board a sham, incorrectly described. Maitre’d came to out waitress’s rescue explained that so long as it was expensive most of his customers wouldn’t mind(sic). "

"The food was good but fussy. Very small portions. The service only moderately attentive. Not as good as the last time I ate there. Perhaps just an off day."

"It’s all good but doesn’t quite reach excellent- lovely room, good service but brown bread a bit clarty, mackerel fresh and simply pan fried but what I do at home, beef cheek open ravioli delicious but lamb needed more jus. Dessert excellent- simple grapefruit sorbet and mousse. Good value as set lunch but not stand out."

"It is a bit brighter and less cramped since the renovation but the food is still fabulous, Even with the set lunch, there was a delicious, and quite substantial, amuse bouche, fabulous petits fours and marshmallows to take home. The service was charming and friendly but a touch slow for a lunchtime."

"Consistently polished cooking, without fanfare. Discreet, as with the venue and the service, but reassuringly high aspirations and quality. No particular buzz (in library while dining room refurbished), but a top end London hotel dining experience. "

"As you enter the stately building of Seven Park Place the door is opened courteously for you. We are directed to a lift which slowly takes you to the first floor dining room currently relocated in the library. It is a small cosy area playing bland two-dimensional jazz just one short of setting the teeth on edge. Our journey to the dining room is swift and pleasant. Then service stops. Despite an abundance of staff none seem to be heading in our direction.There are only two other diners at this stage and although we are in no hurry it takes an age before we are offered both wine and lunch menus. Our order however is taken promptly once we receive the menu but the sommelier takes for ever to appear. Not sure where he has gone as there are so few other diners. In fact our amuse bouche of salmon and beetroot with creme fraiche appears before we even get to sniff the heady aroma of wine we had not yet chosen. However when he arrives he is very helpful and even offers us a chance to taste one of the wines on our shortlist which is a nice touch. Two generous slugs of Austrian red are poured and meet with our approval. From the short three course lunch menu we have chosen all the options. Both starters and mains are a riot of flavours, well presented and seasoned exceptionally well. A kitchen which is not afraid to season correctly always scores highly in our opinion. Our mains of Cod and Partridge are ample with plenty of jus too. Veg is not forgotten and in some respects shine more highly than the slippery fresh piece of cod which is stately seated. Dessert by way of the two previous highs is a bit of a let down. Yes they are excellently presented but my rum baba is shy of the Calvados advertised. A sponge with no boozy juice just did not feel right. The chocolate pud was fine and that is just about all you can say for it. Coffee and petit fours are both excellent although we did have to halve each petit four with the coffee spoon (if you want to share them that is). Service at a one star Michelin appears to be an enigma these days, bordering on non-existent to reasonably acceptable. My wife gave the service a 3 as whilst we were talking to the maitre d his gaze averted to some other (probably higher rolling) guests. He admitted he had been “busted”."