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April 2019: After closing the George Street site in March, "with the restaurant’s future still to be decided", Wild Honey has moved to the Sofitel, near Trafalgar Square (previously Balcon, RIP).
Harden's survey result
Summary
Anthony Demetre upped sticks and re-located his well-liked Mayfair establishment into the Sofitel, just off Trafalgar Square, taking over the attractive space that was formerly Balcon (RIP). It opened in August 2019, too late for survey feedback, but he’s a deft and very accomplished chef, and his presence at this very handily situated venue seems likely to deepen its longstanding appeal as a quality rendezvous just away from the bustle of the West End. Fay Maschler’s early days review was rapturous.
Summary
“For dinner, it’s warm and inviting”, while during its busier lunchtime service, Anthony Demetre’s “very comfortable” and “slightly retro” Mayfair venue is a favoured business entertaining spot. “The food is delightful (the signature rabbit dish is heavenly)” and it’s also known for its “interesting and varied wine list”. Top Tip: “the fixed price lunch is excellent value for money”.
Summary
Anthony Demetre’s agreeably “restrained” (and business-friendly) Mayfair venture has won renown for its “intelligent and accomplished” cooking and “extensive and not outrageously priced wine list, with most available in 250ml carafes, so you can have two or three in the course of a meal”. Top Tip – “very good lunch menu of British fare at reasonable prices” (“things you wouldn’t necessarily choose but all well cooked and worth it if you are prepared to experiment”).
Summary
Back on form this year: Will Smith and Anthony Demetre’s club-like (and business-friendly) fixture provides meaty fare and an “excellent array of wines by the glass”, and “understated and professional service”. It’s “well-priced” for Mayfair too (“I often go for the fixed-price lunch, but happily pay my bill when I go à la carte”).
Restaurant details
Wild Honey St James Restaurant Diner Reviews
"Interesting menu cooked to a high standard. Service was good but not particularly attentive. Imaginative layout but the tables are too close together."
"Nothing wrong with the food, room or floor service, but the kitchen took over half an hour to come up with my main course (lamb) which was on the set lunch menu! Someone in the kitchen needs to pull their finger out. I didn't bother with a pudding for obvious reasons."
"A clever makeover of this hotel restaurant. Food pretty good but waiting en point as you would expect in french outfit. Very useful spot in this part of town."
"Great addition to the area for a superb snack or lunch"
Prices
 Drinks |
|
|---|---|
| Wine per bottle | £35.00 |
| Filter Coffee | £4.50 |
 Extras |
|
|---|---|
| Service | 10.00% |
Harden's says...
Wild Honey W1
Anticipation in the foodie world has been at fever pitch. Could this Mayfair newcomer possibly equal the remarkable value which has been all but universally acclaimed at Arbutus, its Soho parent?
As we entered the paneled premises formerly known as the Drones Club, the Arbutus team - Anthony Demetre and Will Smith - were both in attendance, But that's as far as similarity of physical appearance went: whereas their Soho premises are tightly-packed and clattery, Wild Honey is serene and well-spaced.
Just like in Soho, though, service is thoughtful and efficient. And the food 'offer' is also pretty much identical. Arbutus is famously a value proposition, and a £15.50 3-course set lunch menu is also on offer here in Mayfair. It was in fact the better of our two meals - with a chunky bavette (steak) as its highlight, it was undoubtedly a very good deal. An à la carte selection was variable. It started off well enough, with a delicious mackerel tartare. Bizarre as it may seem, though, our main-course risotto was not as good as one eaten at a Strada the next day. And a peach pudding lacked any real distinction of taste or texture.
The wines, however - an intelligent selection, all available by the 250ml carafe, as well as by the bottle - add to the feeling that you can have a proper meal here, and perhaps even be a bit adventurous, without straining your wallet. And it's not just on the booze front that sourcing is carefully considered. Cheeses, from La Fromagerie, included the first new model to come out of Suffolk in 40 year (Hawkston), and it's not even on general UK release yet.
Sofitel, 8 Pall Mall, London, SW1Y 5NG
| Number of Diners: | |
| Required Time: | |
Opening hours
| Monday | 6:30 am-2:30 pm, 5 pm-10:30 pm |
| Tuesday | 6:30 am-2:30 pm, 5 pm-10:30 pm |
| Wednesday | 6:30 am-2:30 pm, 5 pm-10:30 pm |
| Thursday | 6:30 am-2:30 pm, 5 pm-10:30 pm |
| Friday | 6:30 am-2:30 pm, 5 pm-10:30 pm |
| Saturday | 7 am-2:30 pm, 5 pm-10:30 pm |
| Sunday | 7 am-2:30 pm, 5 pm-9:30 pm |
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