Breaking news
Star chef Michael Caines is acting as consultant to the hotel and will relaunch The Game Bird in autumn 2025 under a new identity. It's Michael's first restaurant in London, despite him being one of the UK's most celebrated chefs.
16 St James’s Pl, London, SW1A 1NJ
Harden's survey result
Summary
Star West Country chef, Michael Caines, is hitting London for the first time at this cosseting hotel dining room – formerly the Game Bird, whose new name is not yet disclosed as of July 2025 (the name above is a guess / working name). As part of the deal, Michael’s acclaimed Lympstone Manor property will join The Stafford Collection as an associate member, reflecting a new deep partnership between the hotel and the chef. As The Game Bird, the dining room’s emphasis was not on haute cuisine, but spoiling, high-quality British dishes, but this will apparently change with Michael’s arrival bringing a style of cooking in line with that at his highly ambitious Devon property (prepare for lots of references to Michelin). Not every star chef who won fame in the shires thrives on hitting the capital: here’s wishing him well on winning his spurs.
Summary
This “sumptuous” and “traditional” dining room hidden away in St James’s is long on “elegance and friendly service” and remains something of an “unknown gem”. The cuisine results from the executive chef here, Jozef Rogulski and – although some disappointments were registered this year – overall ratings remained high. Top Tips – in the afternoon, there’s “an extensive range of teas and trolley service for both savoury and sweet choices”; and “the very elegant breakfast is a lovely experience”.
Summary
‘Hoof, feather and field’ is the billing given to the meaty options (which are the top choices) at this traditional dining room – a peaceful space, discreetly hidden away. Practically all reports applaud its all-round professional performance and also its “extensive” cellar. Top Tip – a shout out to the “sumptuous and plentiful” afternoon tea served on the “wonderful comfortable sofas” nearby complete with “free refills for the sandwiches!”
Summary
“A hidden gem in the heart of London” – this “discreet” dining room is tucked away in an Edwardian St James’s five star, but well worth discovering nowadays as its “top-of-the-range”, classic British cuisine is going from strength to strength, and its plush, traditional style is suited to many types of occasion including business and romance. In August 2021, Lisa Goodwin-Allen of Northcote in Lancashire (same ownership) was named as the new overseer from afar of the menu here. Perhaps she’s behind the boost in ratings, although there’s been no discernible revolution in its general culinary approach.
For 34 years we've been curating reviews of the UK's most notable restaurant. In a typical year, diners submit over 50,000 reviews to create the most authoritative restaurant guide in the UK. Each year, the guide is re-written from scratch based on this survey (although for the 2021 edition, reviews are little changed from 2020 as no survey could run for that year).
Have you eaten at Michael Caines (fka The Game Bird)?
Owner's description
MICHAEL CAINES at The Stafford, created in collaboration with the celebrated Michelin-starred chef. Marking Caines’ first London residency, the restaurant introduces his signature modern European cuisine to one of the capital’s most iconic settings, creating a new culinary destination in the heart of St. James’s.
Set against the timeless elegance of The Stafford, the restaurant offers a refined destination dining experience. The menu celebrates the best of British seasonal produce, blending new and exclusive creations with Caines’ renowned dishes from Lympstone Manor, alongside cherished classics from The Stafford’s own heritage.
Prices
 Drinks |
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|---|---|
| Wine per bottle | £65.00 |
| Filter Coffee | £6.50 |
 Extras |
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|---|---|
| Service | 15.00% |
Restaurant details
The chef
Michael Caines (fka The Game Bird) Restaurant Diner Reviews
"A bit disappointed- wonderful bonne bouche an indication of what kitchen can do - wonderfully truffled gougeres and delicate little crisp savory yuzu ish tartlets , but down hill after / from clarty bread - looked great but rolled into a ball in the mouth, poorly balanced salmon appetizer - insufficient citrus , ceviche was ok, very salty duck with chewy skin, ok soufflé and cheese board that could be straight from a supermarket. Service a bit brash and needs polishing / didn’t seem to know the food and screwed up the cheese selection! Expensive wine list for what it offers. "
16 St James’s Pl, London, SW1A 1NJ
Opening hours
| Monday | 12 pm‑2 pm, 6 pm‑10 pm |
| Tuesday | 12 pm‑2 pm, 6 pm‑10 pm |
| Wednesday | 12 pm‑2 pm, 6 pm‑10 pm |
| Thursday | 12 pm‑2 pm, 6 pm‑10 pm |
| Friday | 12 pm‑2 pm, 6 pm‑10 pm |
| Saturday | 12:30 pm‑2:30 pm, 6 pm‑10 pm |
| Sunday | 12:30 pm‑2:30 pm, 6 pm‑10 pm |
