Breaking news
November 2022: Luke Selby has been appointed executive head chef at Le Manoir, and his brothers Nathaniel and Theodore will join him there, from January; James Goodyear is to take over here - he's been head chef at Adam's in Birmingham since 2021.
Harden's survey result
Summary
“This intimate little counter-dining venue” in an ancient pub that nowadays finds itself part of Chinatown “shows levels of skill and technique to compete with much better-known places that leave you with a far higher bill”. James Goodyear has taken over from Luke Selby (the latter departing to be head chef at Le Manoir), but all reports swoon over “a truly special experience” and a multi-course tasting menu that’s “absolutely exceptional”. “Love the counter-top layout of the restaurant and the chefs are very happy to talk, explaining in detail how things are made (important to me because I am a very keen cook!)”. “It has a buzzy vibe and is a bit of a squeeze (in both space and time), making it a very different formula than nearby Aulis. Having said that, the cooking is consistently delightful, imaginative and bold. The menu feels well thought-through, building and balancing as it progresses”. “File it under ‘one to watch’ as they plan to build out the ambition even further”: from mid-2023 they are opening on Monday nights and also incorporating their wine bar, The Mulwray, and the pub, The Blue Posts, into the overall offering at Evelyn’s Table.
Summary
The Selby brothers’ “very snug little basement venue for counter-top fine dining” shows “levels of skill and technique to compete with much better-known places that leave you with a far higher bill”; with cooking that’s “consistently well-thought-out, imaginative and bold”. “Ultimately there can be a clash between the expectation of enjoying fine cuisine and fine wines, while being perched on a stool with people brushing past”, so “file this under ‘one to watch’ as they plan to build out the ambition even further”.
Summary
Star chef Luke Selby (former head chef of Hide), together with brothers Nathaniel and Theo, now runs this intimate 10-seat counter experience in the cellar of the 275-year-old Blue Posts pub in Chinatown, which melds a love of British produce, Japanese techniques and classic French training. We’ve rated it on limited but outstanding initial feedback and the impossibility of getting a table – bookings are released on the first of every month, at midday.
Summary
“So much fun and such a pleasure” – “it’s a bit hard to find” (below a cocktail bar, in the cellar of the 275-year-old Blue Posts pub, in Chinatown), but this tiny, year-old sibling to The Palomar and The Barbary is well worth discovering. A “cosy and super-relaxed” 11-seater, with a couple of tiny tables; the food is Italian in inspiration but focused on prime UK ingredients, especially fish brought from Cornwall daily. “The cramped counter gives you a ringside view on some exceptional cooking with a priority on freshness and flavour”.
For 33 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 Evelyn’s Table at The Blue Posts?
28 Rupert Street, London, W1D 6DJ
Restaurant details
Evelyn’s Table at The Blue Posts Restaurant Diner Reviews
"The food is every bit as good under James Goodyear's leadership as it was when Luke Selby was in charge. There was relatively little evidence of the Japanese influence that was so prominent in Selby's work, which I did miss, but the food was absolutely sublime, and still excellent value at £125. Every dish was cooked with exceptional technical skill and the courses flowed harmoniously. They also served the first dish I've eaten where truffle was used but wasn't the main focus of the dish - the balance between truffle, juniper smoke and rich venison in their main course was exceptional. I love the counter-top layout and the relaxed, food-focused vibe, along with the 90s and noughties club playlist, but realise they won't be for everyone. As previously, the chefs were happy to answer questions about the food and how it was made, and the sommeliers were a delight in terms of their knowledge and enthusiasm for their craft. The service was first class. We had a fantastic and memorable evening and will certainly return."
Prices
 Drinks |
|
|---|---|
| Wine per bottle | £43.00 |
| Filter Coffee | £0.00 |
 Extras |
|
|---|---|
| Bread | £0.00 |
| Service | 10.00% |
28 Rupert Street, London, W1D 6DJ
Opening hours
| Monday | 6 pm‑11 pm |
| Tuesday | 6 pm‑11 pm |
| Wednesday | 6 pm‑11 pm |
| Thursday | 6 pm‑11 pm |
| Friday | 6 pm‑11 pm |
| Saturday | 6 pm‑11 pm |
| Sunday | CLOSED |
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