Harden's survey result
Summary
Feedback is positive about the Galvin Bros’ year-old revamp of this well-known Art Deco dining room, lauding its “good, mainly British cuisine”, civilised location (“lovely on a sunny day, overlooking Green Park”) and “high standards” generally. Its ratings are undercut, though, by incidents of “routine” cooking, and a sense that “some of its former quirkiness was lost in the (2016) makeover”. Top Tip: “wonderful, luxurious afternoon tea”.
Summary
Plusses and minuses for the Galvin Bros new more “casual” and “café-style” regime at this hitherto rather overlooked dining room (whose 2016 relaunch is part of a programme to boost the profile of this Art Deco hotel, facing Green Park). To its credit, it does inspire much more feedback nowadays, with praise for its “friendly staff and bistro cooking”. On the downside though, “much of its previously characterful atmosphere was lost in the massive refurb” leaving the space feeling “humdrum and hotel-y”. Top Tip – “fab value lunchtime menu”.
Summary
In July 2016 (post-survey) the Galvin brothers annexed this gracious but perennially overlooked dining room in an Art Deco hotel, facing Green Park. This is their first venture to put the emphasis more on British rather than French cuisine (and will continue to offer afternoon tea – previously one of the greater attractions here).
Summary
“It aspires to no great heights”, but this “pleasant” and well-located dining room (facing Green Park) wins consistent praise for its “lovely afternoon teas” (“the sandwiches kept coming…”) and “good value set lunches”.
Owner's description
Galvin at The Athenaeum is the latest restaurant from Michelin-starred London chefs Chris and Jeff Galvin. For the first time the brothers have stepped away from their trademark French-inspired menus in favour of championing Britain’s delicious homegrown produce and supporting independent farmers across the UK. An exciting array of new menus include Afternoon Tea and Private Dining, and feature a modern take on classic British dishes combined with Galvin favourites.
Restaurant details
Galvin at the Athenaeum Restaurant Diner Reviews
"Went to the Athenaeum club by mistake so arrived late and flustered but a kind welcome and swift service made for a more relaxing start. We had a 50% discount so the bill was quite reasonable - without, it would have been eye watering. Wine in particular was very pricey with £49 at the bottom end and the food was ok but not exceptional. The space is a challenge - a long thin room with low lighting and loud music made us glad that we were placed at the entrance so we could hear each other speak. Not a patch on other Galvin restaurants that we have been to so quite disappointing."
"As previously reported, Some of the Ath restaurant's quirkiness lost in the Galvin makeover, but standards and value still good."
"Went for the reasonably priced prix fixe dinner. Food was good and so was service. Prix fixe menus good value. I chose two courses (lasagne of Dorset crab and pheasant) which each had a hefty £8.00 supplement . Both were excellent. But couldn't cut the pheasant or the bacon chop with the knives supplied, but we managed with steak knife replacement. Sorry that Galvin's Bistrot de Luxe has closed. This is an alternative."
Athenaeum Hotel, 116 Piccadilly, London, W1J 7BJ
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Opening hours
mon-Sun lunch, 12pm-2.30pm, dinner 6pm-10.30pm
Last orders: 10.30 pm
