Our meal at Gordon Ramsay’s Petrus by Marcus Wareing, was one that we were looking forward to with great antipication. Booked months in advance, we didn’t realise that Petrus at it is was closed on September the 6th this year which makes us feel much luckier. But more interesting information on that later

Petrus has a reputation, borne from a rather famous lunch where in 2001 a dining party of Investment Bankers ran up at £44,007 food and drinks bill. Along with their meals, they ordered 3 bottles of Petrus (from 1945, 1946 and 1947, the last said to be the best vintage) as well as a bottle of Montrachet and Château d’Yquem. When Gordon was told of their first order of wine by the staff that rang him he was happy but by the next few bottles, he had decided that the food would all be comped. After all, what was the price of food when they were paying £12,300 for the 1947 vintage? If you hadn’t heard, there was a bit of a scandal about it and the bankers were fired. And I’m left wondering why my Careers Guidance Counsellour never suggested Investment Banking as an occupation…

The Berkeley Hotel also houses another Gordon Ramsay eatery, the diffusion, more affordable Boxwood Cafe. We enter the hotel and turn right, there’s no sign but the unmistakable Petrus interior seen on Gordon Ramsay’s website is apparent. The claret and purple tones with circular motifs signal we have arrived at our much desired destination.

We’re late, 45 minutes late admittedly which we know is very bad form, especially at a restaurant like this. When we enter, a smiling face enquires with our name. We’re led to our table, it’s very hushed and a little serious on the floor although the staff are friendly.

We’re offered a range of breads, and when I select one they enquire if I would like to try another. Good thing as they’re both good. Interestingly they only have unsalted butter although they bring us some salt when we ask. My husband and I sniff the air, there is a distinctly unpleasant smell totally out of harmony with the decor and service. He worries that he has stepped in dog mess on the street.

Oh no, it’s the cheese trolley. Ripening just behind our table in the centre of the restaurant are a huge selection of almost 30 cheeses. It’s so overpowering especially for me who has a very strong sense of smell that we ask for it to be covered which is not a problem.

Pre Amuse Bouche: puff pastry foie gras triangle with blackcurrant

Along with the bread, we’re given two complimentary items to whet our appetite, two pre Amuse Bouches. One is a puff pastry foie gras triangle with quince paste with blackcurrant. The paper thin and crispy puff pastry is crunchy and stidd but delicate against the creamy foie gras mousse with a sweet touch from the quince paste and blackcurrants. It’s a brilliant start and we know we’re in for a treat.

Pre Amuse Bouche: Taramosalata and avocado with crispy croutons

The taramosalata dip has an avocado base and unlike any taramosalata you’ve ever eaten. Rich and creamy and absolutely addictive it has us dipping in our bread long after the croutons have gone to elicit every single drop.

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There’s a reason why there are only two photos of my visit to the Ivy. The celeb count at the Ivy is apparently so high, that they do not allow photographs to be taken inside the restaurant. So all I have to offer you is a picture of the bread basket and the napkin. The Ivy is in an odd location, in the theatre district but down what looks like a back alley, right near L’atelier de Joel Robuchon. Outside of opening hours, the outer belies the mystery about this restaurant and why exactly it is so sought after as a place for celebrities to congregate. Getting a booking is not easy, one has to book weeks ahead to secure a table.

The doorman is a very genial fellow, designed to make your entrance way smooth and welcoming. The staff too are friendly and polite, with perhaps the exception of one waiter who although isn’t rude, is just in the wrong business. The predominant colour is of course green in various shades and there are stained glass accents and the seating is mostly one sided banquettes. We are seated at one, both of us seated at the banquette side with the table pulled out for us to slide in so that maximum “gawking” is achieved as neither of us has our back to the restaurant.

We’re handed the enormous 1 sheet menus. My sister, whilst not a regular, has been here several times and has never liked the food. However some that she has been with have so perhaps it’s extremely bad luck with food choices. And you may be surprised to learn that prices are very reasonable with some very English foods like Fish & Chips, Shepherd’s Pie £16.50 and Bangers & Mash £13.75 to more Asian fare. Having been told by my sister that the Shepherd’s Pie, the item that the waiter tells us is their signature, is in fact not great, we opt for two dishes, the Slow roasted Blythburgh Pork belly with black pudding hash £16.75 and the Salmon fishcake with sauteed spinach and sorrel sauce £15.75.

While we wait for our meals, the bread arrives with butter and it’s pretty good, the butter at the right temperature for spreading. And it’s not long after doing a subtle check around of the restaurant patrons (mixed: some “chav-like” but not quite Vicki Pollard, mostly middle class) that our mains arrive.

You’ll have to trust me about the descriptions but it seems we are in luck. Both of our meals are very good, particularly the Slow cooked Blytheburgh pork belly which is in 4 rectangles and has a delectable crackling on it. The black pudding hash complements it wonderfully.

Salmon fishcake £15.75

Similarly, the salmon fishcake is substantial for a single but thick fishcake, full of salmon and not filler. The spinach layer underneath is also substantial and the sorrel sauce delicious. The photo above is from The Ivy’s own website which is a fairly accurate representation of the dish, although I think I could’ve taken a better one

We’re not tempted by the desserts, indeed the “star” item is the Scandinavian iced berries with white chocolate sauce looks like frozen berries with chocolate sauce poured onto it at the table. And being a good food blogger, if I can’t photograph it, I’m not as interested.

And as for celebrities? I am not familiar with English celebs but I may have seen a soccer player. Well you know the kind, someone fairly good looking with a fairly good looking girlfriend that looks like they might be famous. Speaking to the staff there, they have also been briefed to be discreet although one does reveal that they are surprised at how different they look in real life – without the hair and makeup.

The Ivy

1-5 West Street
London
WC2H 9NQ
Tel: 020 7836 4751
Fax: 020 7240 9333
Dinner: 5.30pm till 12 midnight Monday to Saturday
5.30pm till 11pm on Sunday
http://www.the-ivy.co.uk
Vegetarian options: extensive, both vegetarian and vegan (see separate menu on website)

The Conran family are the original multitalented family. Sir Terence, the restauranteur owns a large chunk of London and its restaurants, his son Jasper (designer of gorgeous China pieces for Wedgwood)and his wife Shirley, the writer and author of “Superwoman” and “Lace” (anyone remember the Lace mini series?), Sebastian (who helped Nigella design her Living Kitchen range) and Sophie (designer) and Tom (restaurateur).

Their restaurant, at Shad Thames near the London Bridge is a riverside venue with a lovely view of the bridge. We’re here at the Bar & grill section (read: the affordable section) which looks and feels exactly the same as the full restaurant just a few metres down. The bread comes with a cute pot of butter, and some marinated olives. The white loaf is excellent, the sourdough less so. We’re ordering from the set menu where have either Two courses for £13.50 or three courses for £17.50

Honey roast ham served with cheddar, apple & walnut

The Honey roast ham served with cheddar, apple & walnut is simple, a slice of deli thin honey roast ham is sprinkled with walnuts and dressing with a sliced apple and a cube of cheddar on the side. It’s decent if not particularly exciting, perhaps quite boring in fact.

Egg mayonnaise with anchovies & baby gem

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