Harden's survey result
Summary
“Sumptous… we had to sell the kids, of course… but it was worth it!” – Clare Smyth’s “sublime” Notting Hill HQ is a “real class act” that’s “entirely worthy of its Michelin three-star rating” and lives up to its “stratospheric pricing” (the à la carte menu is £195 per person; and the seven-course ‘Core Classic’ menu is £255 per person). “What’s remarkable is the absence of pretension” – “impeccable” and “charming” staff set up a “laid back, comfortable dining experience” that’s “priced at the top end, but delivers the best of the best” with “culinary theatre of the highest level”, “meticulous presentation”" and “absolutely exquisite” tastes. Naturally oft-compared to the nearby Ledbury, it is this destination that edged it this year both in terms of a huge amount of feedback and dizzyingly high ratings. Top Menu Tip – “the famous potato dish is awesome”.
Summary
“Not just the best meal this year, but the best meal I’ve ever had!…” – “quite divine and out of this world…” – “my favourite three star!…” – “simply stunning…” – “wonderful and unforgettable…” – the superlatives just pile up in reports on Clare Smyth’s “sublime” Notting Hill landmark, which is “exceptional on every level” (and a close-tie with nearby The Lebury in our annual diners’ poll as our survey’s No. 1 choice for culinary excellence in London). It could be called “a culinary theatre”, but “the serene ambience is the opposite of that in the movie ‘Boiling Point’”. “The kitchen clearly supervises every dish”, and “it’s worth every penny to experience a master of her craft letting sheer quality ingredients shine in the simplest and most stunning of ways”. The consistency of feedback here is also incredibly impressive, with little in the way of criticism made of the very many meals recorded in one of the Top-20 most mentioned restaurants in our annual diners’ poll. Staff – “drilled with military precision” – “find the perfect balance between being friendly and welcoming and unstuffy, while still making it feel like a special experience”. “They just get it absolutely spot on!”
Summary
“World-class cooking from the best female chef in the country” inspires nothing but reams of rapturous reports on Clare Smyth’s “seemingly effortless and very special” Notting Hill HQ – again the No. 1 gastronomic choice in our annual diners’ poll and “well deserving its three Michelin stars” (the same of which could not be said for most of London’s other holders of these laurels). The “virtuoso” cuisine is “simply exquisite” yet “without seeming pretentious”: it says something that one of this Northern Irish farmer’s daughter’s key signature dishes is made out of potato! “Everything from the welcome, the theatre of the kitchen, the execution of the cooking, the comprehensive wine list, the crisp, airy and bright dining room and the enthusiastic and delightful service” provides a “profoundly good experience with incredible attention to detail”. “Clare is in the kitchen each time” and regularly greets guests personally, and “although the bill is high, it is not outlandish for the culinary performance that is delivered”. “Always at the top of its game” – ratings here have held very steady in a year that has seen wobbles at many of its rivals.
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!”
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 Core by Clare Smyth?
92 Kensington Park Rd, London, W11 2PN
Restaurant details
Core by Clare Smyth Restaurant Diner Reviews
"Food was really exceptional, Both in taste and presentation. However, the wine Pairing was a bit disapointing, particularly the whites."
"Probably the best ‘high-end’ restaurant I have eaten in but, given the price, it is not quite perfect. This visit was to the ‘Chef’s Table’ and most of the cooking was sublime and yet I found the lobster just a touch on the tough side - could have been under or over - whereas the use of ‘shin’ in a dish using U.K. Wagyu was very interesting but, for me, not a cut to be ‘seared’. In comparison to, say, Ramsay’s Hospital Road or L’Enclume it is a much, much better all round experience. I feel a little guilty not giving straight 5’s but my feeling is the wonderful Clare will appreciate the challenge of having me return, which will definitely be the case, and get that all elusive perfect score."
"Beautiful dining room and as would be expected the cooking is absolutely impeccable. Very clean and precise flavours although personally a bit delicate for me. I prefer the slightly punchier flavours of L'Enclume but that's a personal taste thing. The only thing (and again this is personal preference) is that I thought there were too many waiting staff making the dining area feel cramped on occasions. None of these should put you off though. If you like eating at a restaurant operating at the absolute pinnacle then go."
Prices
| Availability | 2 courses | 3 courses |  |
 |
 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dinner | £195.00 |  |
|
|
| Cost | Availability | Courses | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Menu1 | 255.00 | Always available | 7 |
Traditional European menu
| Pudding |
|---|
| £0.00 |
| Drinks |
|
|---|---|
| Wine per bottle | £50.00 |
| Filter Coffee | £7.00 |
| Extras |
|
|---|---|
| Service | 15.00% |
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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