Harden's says
There's several restaurants within this American hotel chain opening; the ground-floor spot (Isla) has Adam Rawson (once of Pachamama) as chef, and Bristol's darling, Peter Sanchez-Iglesias (of Casamia and Paco Tapas) occupies the glass rooftop restaurant on the tenth floor.
Harden's survey result
Summary
“A spectacular room with spectacular views (including from the loos!)” sets a high-octane scene at Peter Sanchez-Iglesias’s dramatic Mexican venue: a high-ceilinged space on the top of King’s Cross’s über-hip Standard Hotel, with a breathtaking outlook over St Pancras station next door, and accessed via an exterior, red, glass-walled lift. “It seems less busy at lunch – it looks more like one for the cool kids after dark”. Most reporters are “pleasantly surprised by the food” which majors in ribs, steaks and seafood from the grill “(I thought it was going to be yet another celebrity rip-off)”. It’s far from a cheap experience, though, and one or two dud meals were also reported.
Summary
“Trying very hard to be trendy and mostly succeeding” (“the views from the WC were a big hit in my party!”) – Peter Sanchez-Iglesias’s dramatic three-year-old occupies the high-ceilinged 10th-floor space of the über-funky Standard Hotel, with incredible views of St Pancras from its huge, floor-to-ceiling windows. (To enter, shoot up the side of the hotel in the red-pill-shaped, glass-sided lift). It’s all very 1970s James Bond. “There are some really exceptional dishes” from a vibrant Spanish/Mexican menu (e.g. lobster with lime chilli, quail with mole glaze, even caviar tortilla). But while all reports rate it decently well, gripes about “silly prices and one or two disappointments” limit the overall verdict to good rather than outstanding.
Summary
Dramatic views of St Pancras, triple-height ceilings and funky 1970s-style decor – not to mention the red glass-walled lift on the side of the hotel to shoot you up to the tenth floor – all add to the “slick and sexy” appeal of Peter Sanchez-Iglesias’s dining room, whose vibey style demands a swift order from the extensive cocktail list. All reports agree the Spanish/Mexican plates are “very good” too, as you’d hope from a London sibling to Bristol’s incredible Casamia. One or two diners struggle to ignore the lofty prices (£16 for a margarita), leading to the odd “style over substance” impression, but on most accounts it’s worth the indulgence for the fun and glamour of a trip.
Summary
Peter Sanchez-Inglesias’s famous Bristol restaurant, Casamia, was voted by Harden’s reporters the UK’s best in last year’s survey, so this October 2019 opening on a hip, new hotel rooftop opposite King’s Cross will be one of the most closely-watched of late 2019. The venture will offer Spanish and Mexican cuisines in an 114-cover space, whose view takes in the magnificent Gothic rooftops of St Pancras.
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).
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The Standard, 10 Argyle St, London, WC1H 9JE
Restaurant details
Prices
 Drinks |
|
|---|---|
| Wine per bottle | £52.00 |
| Filter Coffee | £5.00 |
 Extras |
|
|---|---|
| Bread | £8.00 |
| Service | 15.00% |
The Standard, 10 Argyle St, London, WC1H 9JE
Opening hours
| Monday | CLOSED |
| Tuesday | 5 pm‑12 am |
| Wednesday | 12 pm‑2:30 pm, 5 pm‑12 am |
| Thursday | 12 pm‑2:30 pm, 5 pm‑1 am |
| Friday | 12 pm‑2:30 pm, 5 pm‑2 am |
| Saturday | 12 pm‑2:30 pm, 5 pm‑2 am |
| Sunday | CLOSED |
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