When a chef has a restaurant named simply after himself, you know that a) he’s pretty famous b) you’ll have some rather exceptional food. This much I did expect. What I didn’t expect that walking through The Dorchester to the restaurant was walking through a cornucopia of lush greenery and rich tapestries, luxe carpets in a rose pink that make you feel like you’re on the set of a movie.

When we walk into the Dorchester, a stunning hotel by anyone’s definition, we are greeted by this lovely sight. My pulse quickens immediately and we are guided towards the Alain Ducasse restaurant, Gordon Ramsay’s idol and accomplished French restaurateur.

Inside it’s breaktaking, the work of French designer Patrick Jouin and partner Sanjit Manku, frequent collaborators with Ducasse on many restaurants. It feels so….lush and honeyed, as if the stars and the moon descended and bathed the room in the palest silvery light.

The view of Hyde park is echoed in the opposing wall with a palette of green and cream silk covered buttons all in different heights simulating a Seurat-like painting of a garden.

The private dining room is actually not in the kitchen but within the main restaurant curtained off by a shimmering silver fringed curtain that appears like falling rain and when the lights dim at 9pm the shimmering silver fringe curtain lights up. The tables are large and each features little touches, you know were expertly and explicitly picked.

Service is personal and inviting, we are shown the private room, the decorations and have a visit to the wine cellar, a imposing looking temperature controlled room-if only we were big wine drinkers!

Paprika and herb Gougeres

While we are looking at the menu, some paprika gougeres arrives, warmly golden and puffed, some with a mildish chili powder coating, some rolled in herbs. They’re deceptively moreish and before long the bowl is gone. The menu has a choice of either an entree + meat+fish+ dessert for £95 or an entree+meat or fish + dessert for £75. The specialties of the house are marked with a leaf symbol although these most often incur a supplement of £10.

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Entrance to Benihana, Chelsea

If you’re American, Benihana needs no introduction.You’ve already probably been to a Benihana at some time in your life. If however you’re not American, you may have heard of Benihana through popular culture references -it was mentioned on “The Office” U.S. version as an “Asian Hooters” and model/actor Devon Aoki’s family owns it.

Benihana’s Wall of Fame

Benihana, named after a red safflower, was started by the smiling man-permed Rocky Aoki (the perm reportedly done to make him look more distinctive), a former wrestler who sadly passed away recently. It features a carving fork and knife wielding chef on a Hibachi (or Teppanyaki grill as we know it in Australia) who chats and jokes with guests, while cooking the food and perhaps throwing it at you.

Matching full lips!

Celebrities flocked here as attested to by the feature wall, even the Kings Road branch in Chelsea features pictures of George W. Bush, Angelina Jolie (with a similarly fulled lipped waiter) as well as other famous bodies.

We had booked into Benihana for a quick meal before seeing the Broadway Musical Wicked, at the Apollo Theatre (one of the highlights of our  trip). We were told that there would be absolutely no problem with the 7 course menu and leaving early for the theatre. Walking in, we’re struck with how large the entrance steps are and how much it looks like a casino interior. We get the feeling that it’s definitely seen better days.

They have lost our reservation but no matter, the place isn’t full. The waitresses english is very limited and we are told that for the 7 courses there is no menu but what we did get (on the poster outside) is as follows below:

7 courses for £18:

• Onion Soup A La Japanese
• Benihana Salad with Ginger Dressing
• California Roll
• Hibachi Vegetables
• Hibachi Rice
• and a choice of any two from the following six: steak, chicken, prawns, salmon,black cod and seabass

Onion Soup A La Japanese

Since there are 3 of us, we opt to try each of the 6 meats/seafood. Before we know it, the soup has arrived, a delicious broth full of beef stock and onions and small pieces of mushroom and other unknown tasty but sparse morsels.

Benihana Salad with Ginger Dressing Read More

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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