Binge - Heston Blumenthal Opens In London This December!

Where to lunch after shopping all morrning at Harvey Nics? Why, at Heston Blumenthal's of course. The UK’s gastro-alchemist who cooks by science and made his name at The Fat Duck, his restaurant in the little town of Bray, Berkshire, is opening a new restaurant in London this December.

Called Dinner by Heston Blumenthal, you’ll find it at the Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, just across the road and a couple of steps from Harvey Nics and Harrods. Featuring his usual style of cooking and heavily influenced by his ongoing research and discovery of historic British gastronomy, feature simple contemporary dishes inspired by Britain’s historic gastronomic past and recipes dating as far back as the 16th century, such as Scallops with Cucumber Ketchup and Peas, Bergamot cured Mackerel Salad and Slow Cooked Short Rib of Beef.

Overlooking Hyde Park and featuring lots of wood, leather and iron, the restaurant’s physical set up promises to be quite an experience too. Look out for the one-of-a-kind pulley modelled after the 16th century pulley system originally designed for the Royal British Court’s kitchens and 16th century British recipes sourced from rare antique cookbooks on display at the bar.

Seating 140 guests, there’s a private dining room for 10 and a chef’s table for six within the kitchen. As with these celeb restaurants, the main man won’t be there, but group executive chef of the Fat Duck, Ashley Palmer-Watts, who’s worked with Blumenthal for ten years, will be.

Expect to pay a very decent £25 for a three course set lunch, and a three course a la carte dinner from £55! Reservations open on 15 October 2010. Rush and call at +44 (0) 20 7201 3833!

For details: www.mandarinoriental.com 

- Ee Waun