Harden's survey result
Summary
“Yet another new chef and change of design”… yet this twice-relaunched Mayfair temple of gastronomy (both times by recent buyer, Marlon Abela) nowadays bears a not-so-different set of strengths and weaknesses from its original self. Chef (since November 2017) Clement Leroy “maintains the highest standards” and fans feel it “deserves to reclaim its position as one of London’s top tables” (although you can quibble as to whether the cuisine is quite as good as under Phil Howard). Despite attempts to pep up the room, it retains a “slightly downbeat ambience”, but this doesn’t put off the expense accounters for whom it’s always been a favourite, drawn in part by its ever-formidable wine list.
Summary
“New owners and chef have a lot to do to reclaim the plaudits of old!” at this “grown up” foodie temple in Mayfair, where owner Marlon Abela took over a year ago from Phil Howard and Nigel Platts Martin: post-sale sceptics felt you “paid two star prices for nothingy food that wasn’t star quality”, and felt the switch had done nothing for the “sterile” ambience (never exactly a riot here). It seems that Abela has ‘smelt the coffee’ because replacement chef Yu Sigimoto left in August 2017 as the restaurant closed for a total revamp to re-open in October 2017 with ‘a new concept [that] will reflect an energetic, urban and contemporary attitude underpinned by elegant and luxurious style’. [Did he really write that? Ed]
Summary
This “classy” gastronomic temple in Mayfair was sold by its creators Phil Howard and Nigel Platts-Martin in Spring 2016 (just before this year’s survey). With its “very formal” (“dull”), style – underpinned by a “bible of a wine list” – it’s a shoe-in for the portfolio of new owner, Marlon Abela, who seems sure to maintain its business-friendly appeal. Whether the cuisine will hold up is less certain – hence we’ve left it un-rated – but one early report says it’s “still Fabulous with a capital F”. STOP PRESS – in September 2016 Yu Sugimoto was named the new executive chef.
Summary
With its “polished” style, “well-spaced tables” and “one of the Capital’s finest wine lists”, this Mayfair luminary would be a natural for besuited expense-accounters even without Phil Howard’s “complex and highly innovative” cuisine; however, critics of its slightly “sterile” setting and “exorbitant” prices were again more vocal this year.
Restaurant details
The Square Restaurant Diner Reviews
"ridiculously over priced"
"A near faultless meal marred by undercooked (twice) chicken. Hopefully just a mad summer blip."
6-10 Bruton St, London, W1J 6PU
Opening hours
| Monday | 12 pm-3 pm, 6:30 pm-10 pm |
| Tuesday | 12 pm-3 pm, 6:30 pm-10 pm |
| Wednesday | 12 pm-3 pm, 6:30 pm-10 pm |
| Thursday | 12 pm-3 pm, 6:30 pm-10 pm |
| Friday | 12 pm-2:30 pm, 6 pm-10:30 pm |
| Saturday | 12 pm-2:30 pm, 6 pm-10:30 pm |
| Sunday | CLOSED |
Best French restaurants nearby
British, Modern restaurant in Mayfair
French restaurant in Mayfair
French restaurant in Mayfair
Best similarly priced restaurants nearby
French restaurant in Mayfair
British, Traditional restaurant in Mayfair
French restaurant in Mayfair
