Harden's survey result
Summary
“The best restaurant in London” – Clare Symth’s “supreme” Notting Hill five-year-old once again topped our diners’ poll as the capital’s No. 1 gastronomic experience: “a real triumph”. And yet, while “it’s a special place, the experience is not over-wrought”: “it deftly straddles that line between fine dining but not being stuffy”. “Clare and head chef Jonny Bone run a great kitchen”, but they achieve “the finest cooking without it being up-your-arse mucked around, just with the beautiful presentation of seasonal ingredients” all “served with flair and precision in a fine dining room”. “The friendly and very efficient front of house team is led by Rob Rose. And when it comes to wine we always rely on sommelier Gareth’s recommendations. He has never let us down yet and works within a sensible budget”. “Clare and Jonny always greet you: in fact, everyone says hi and has time to chat. Save up your money and spend it here!”
Summary
“Where’s a fourth Michelin star when you need one?” – Clare Smyth’s “world-class” Notting Hill luminary offers “a supreme gastronomic experience” and now dominates our diners’ poll, topping not just votes as top gastronomic experience and highest food rating, but also the most-mentioned restaurant this year: an incredible achievement for somewhere charging top dollar. “From the moment you walk in to the moment you leave, everything is perfect”, but “despite being in the top echelons of restauration, everyone is so friendly and unstuffy” and “Clare and head chef Jonny Bone always make time to say ‘hi’ from the kitchen doorway”. The service (led by Rob Rose) is so smooth and slick “it’s almost like a ballet” and “Gareth Ferreira’s ability to pair wines is also exceptional”. When it comes to the cuisine itself, the third Michelin star awarded in January 2021 was “well-warranted and overdue” thanks to the “unsurpassed levels of sophistication, technical expertise, and the sheer culinary pleasure of the majestic tasting menu”. Dishes are “consistently bursting with flavour” (“I have never been so excited by a potato dish!”) and “look like works of art”; while “vegetarians and pescatarians are clearly no afterthought”. “After two cancellations for Covid restrictions I finally made it… well worth the money!”.
Summary
“The third Michelin star must be on its way” say fans of Clare Smyth’s “world class” one-year-old, which – after its “brilliant start” – is much “better than Restaurant Gordon Ramsay Royal Hospital Road” (her former gig); and was the most-nominated restaurant in the survey this year for providing London’s top gastronomic experience. Occupying the Notting Hill venue that some still recall as Leith’s (long RIP), she has created a “smart-but-unintimidating” space, where “superb, friendly, and unpompous staff” steer a course between “slight informality” (no tablecloths) and being “highly professional”. And “Clare and head chef Johnnie always make time to say hello”. “So much original thought has gone in” to the “masterfully-blended dishes, showing occasional idiosyncratic touches” to create “precise, exquisite morsels that look like art on a plate and taste fabulous (if at a high price tag)”. “Words aren’t enough to describe the journey your taste buds go on!”. “Unfortunately, however, it has become almost impossible to book”. Top Menu Tip – “I never thought a potato could taste that good!”
Summary
“The third Michelin star must be on its way” say fans of Clare Smyth’s “world class” one-year-old, which – after its “brilliant start” – is much “better than Restaurant Gordon Ramsay Royal Hospital Road” (her former gig); and was the most-nominated restaurant in the survey this year for providing London’s top gastronomic experience. Occupying the Notting Hill venue that some still recall as Leith’s (long RIP), she has created a “smart-but-unintimidating” space, where “superb, friendly, and unpompous staff” steer a course between “slight informality” (no tablecloths) and being “highly professional”. And “Clare and head chef Johnnie always make time to say hello”. “So much original thought has gone in” to the “masterfully-blended dishes, showing occasional idiosyncratic touches” to create “precise, exquisite morsels that look like art on a plate and taste fabulous (if at a high price tag)”. “Words aren’t enough to describe the journey your taste buds go on!”. “Unfortunately, however, it has become almost impossible to book”. Top Menu Tip – “I never thought a potato could taste that good!”
For 32 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 Core by Clare Smyth?
Restaurant details
Core by Clare Smyth Restaurant Diner Reviews
"Our favourite restaurant - it never disappoints. We always feel so welcome. The food is divine"
"The best restaurant I have eaten at. Simply superb"
"Cannot rate thia highly enougb Abailuflet eveything was delvieres woth love and care . It felt like you had your own somelier and waitress Timing was perfect We were not rushed and savoured the whole experience which Clare Smyth ran the pass superbly - We will most certainly go again and the wait was more than worth it ! "
"Which is better, The Ledbury or Core? Very hard to say, but they're potentially the two finest meals in London. Perhaps a little more personality on display at Core. And the a la carte option is always a positive in my mind. A gorgeous experience."
"Return after 4 years to see it now at 3 rather than 2* What a sensational visit. Gently refined a little from last time pretty perfect then but even better now. We had the seasons menu. We started with the most comprehensive and stunning amuse bouche I have ever tasted. Stunningly presented and each element delicious. The menu is included in my photos so not going to go through it course by course. Highlights were the crab, the Wagyu and the second dessert,though frankly not one disappointed. Staff are attentive and service is beautifully choreographed as one would expect. A true delight throughout, not cheap, ptoce was north of £250 but what one would frankly expect at this level, and yes it was good value for the gastronomic experience. Only sadness, my sister was supposed to be at the meal, but had to cancel through Ill health, just means we will have to return! Toilets spotless. Was it worth all the travel hassle etc ABSOLUTELY! Shame Claire wasn’t there, but I luckily met this delightful lady last time."
"A fantastic meal, we had the classic and the seasons menu both excellent - standout dishes for me were the potato, lamb, other carrot and the core apple. I had the wine pairing very pricey but all went well with the food. Service was above a 5 best ever very attentive without being intrusive. "
"A great fun night in a top notch restaurant - my second visit 2 years after the first and the restaurant still exudes class and friendliness. The food for the first few courses was exceptional, really amazing, but then did lose its way a little (the potato wasn't up to it) - but we didn't really mind too much. Spectacular wine list."
Prices
| Availability | 2 courses | 3 courses |  |
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lunch | £155.00 |  |
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| Dinner | £175.00 | |
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| Cost | Availability | Courses | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Menu1 | 205.00 | Always available | 7 |
| Menu2 | 225.00 | Always available | 7 |
| Drinks |
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|---|---|
| Wine per bottle | £50.00 |
| Filter Coffee | £5.00 |
| Extras |
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|---|---|
| Bread | £0.00 |
| Service | 12.50% |
92 Kensington Park Rd, London, W11 2PN
Opening hours
| Monday | CLOSED |
| Tuesday | 6:30 pm‑9:45 pm |
| Wednesday | 6:30 pm‑9:45 pm |
| Thursday | 12 pm‑2:15 pm, 6:30 pm‑9:45 pm |
| Friday | 12 pm‑2:15 pm, 6:30 pm‑9:45 pm |
| Saturday | 12 pm‑2:15 pm, 6:30 pm‑9:45 pm |
| Sunday | CLOSED |
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