Harden's says
In the Sofitel in Pall Mall, chef Anthony Demetre has converted the former bar of his restaurant Wild Honey into a 'little sister' venue inspired by the 'bistronomy' movement in Paris. The early evening offer of a glass of wine and a croquette for £9 (5–7pm) sets the tone for casual drinking and snacking; there are also cheese and charcuterie plates, and a tight menu of more substantial dishes.
Harden's survey result
Summary
“Chef Anthony Demettre will often come out and have a chat” if you dine regularly at this “good stand-by in the heart of the West End”, where “beautifully presented dishes with hints of France are served by smiling waiting staff” in a stylish and “well-spaced” chamber convenient for Trafalgar Square and Theatreland. Long-term fans remember the two smaller, more personal incarnations of his Wild Honey project (“I was concerned its spirit would have been lost in the move to a Sofitel. I need not have worried: Anthony Demetre was very much at the stoves and it was clear his enthusiasm for French regional cooking was still reflected in a range of memorable dishes of some skill, using top ingredients: no corporate corner-cutting here!”). Top Tips – “a new, more informal bistro sits alongside the main restaurant and offers a similar authentic menu for a more modest outlay”; “great-value lunch menu”.
Summary
“Stylish, friendly and with inspired cooking” – that’s the most favourable take on Anthony Demetre’s rather grand hotel dining room off Trafalgar Square, with its parquet floor and banquettes running down each wall. (It’s not to be confused with the ‘Wild Honey’ he ran in Mayfair for many years). The cooking is modern British in style and even more reserved reports acknowledge it’s “perfectly sound”. It’s also to be found in an area where value is thin on the ground: “in fairness, where else are you going to get such a good meal at this price in SW1 for goodness sake?”
Summary
Anthony Demetre’s “combination of balance, tastes and textures” inspires fans of this “grand hotel dining room” off Trafalgar Square (“a far cry from his original restaurant of this name” in Mayfair). It’s most nominated for a “solid business lunch” although “the tasting menu is lovely” and also wins recommendations for it as a foodie destination in its own right. A setting that’s “classy” to supporters, though, can – to critics – seem “a little soulless”; and service doesn’t always live up to the occasion. Top Tip – “the set lunch and early evening menus offer excellent value”.
Summary
“Perfect, joyous French cooking with pitch-perfect flavours” inspires fans of Anthony Demetre’s well-regarded venture, which he moved here from Mayfair pre-Covid. The very “spacious” and “tasteful” dining room and its superb position – just off Trafalgar Square, but away from the madding crowds – makes it an excellent business choice (or pre/post-theatre). In terms of value, many diners tip any set options here over the à la carte.
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 Wild Honey St James?
Sofitel, 8 Pall Mall, London, SW1Y 5NG
Restaurant details
Wild Honey St James Restaurant Diner Reviews
"Portions are generous compared to other Michelin starred restaurants. Dishes are beautifully presented & flavoursome. I have dined here several times & often rabbit is on the menu, each time it appears the chef does something different & tasty with it . Rabbit doesn't often appear on menus so it's worth taking the opportunity to eat a superbly cooked rabbit."
"We got the lunch menu. This was very reasonably priced and the food was superb. Anthony Demetre came out with each course to talk about the food. He was super friendly and happy to answer questions, which added to the relaxed, friendly vibe. It felt like he cared about every diner's experience and enjoyed us enjoying his restaurant. I thought the lunch was excellent value and will definitely return."
"Tasty , beautifully presented dishes with hints of France served by friendly , smiling waiting staff. Often the chef Anthony Demettre will ciome out & have a chat."
"The adjoining bistrot offers an excellent value prix fixe menu."
Prices
| Availability | 2 courses | 3 courses |  |
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lunch | £45.00 |  |
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| Pretheatre | £45.00 | |
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Traditional European menu
| Starter | Main | Veggies | Pudding |
|---|---|---|---|
| £27.00 | £37.00 | £15.00 | £8.00 |
| Drinks |
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|---|---|
| Wine per bottle | £40.00 |
| Filter Coffee | £5.00 |
| Extras |
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|---|---|
| Service | 15.00% |
Sofitel, 8 Pall Mall, London, SW1Y 5NG
| Number of Diners: | |
| Required Time: | |
Opening hours
| Monday | CLOSED |
| Tuesday | 5 pm‑9:30 pm |
| Wednesday | 12 pm‑3 pm, 5 pm‑9:30 pm |
| Thursday | 12 pm‑3 pm, 5 pm‑9:30 pm |
| Friday | 5 pm‑9:30 pm |
| Saturday | 5 pm‑9:30 pm |
| Sunday | CLOSED |
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