Hot Dinners popped along to the top floor of the Park Lane Hilton this week to check out the new-look Galvin at Windows bar. The bar (and restaurant) are renowned for both their spectacular views and the peerless service of Fred Sirieix and it's just seen a £500k revamp that means there's yet another good reason to visit.
The layout, bar and furniture have been given a major revamp that befits one of London's best bars with a view. We briefly chatted to Fred himself who said that they now have loads more people wanting to sit in the centre of the room - changed so the seats face outward and can take in the glorious view. We put Fred's staff to an immediate test by spilling a glass of champagne barely a minute after arriving - Fred's patent "magic touch" was in full effect as everything was returned to pristine condition in seconds.
After we'd done the requisite 'you can see my house from here' from the bar's frankly amazing views over London - we settled down to work our way through a couple of cocktails from the bar and peruse the bar menu. Sadly we didn't get to try the new Galvin burger with vanilla onions but the bar menu certainly looks worth trying with chicken liver parfait, Mackerel Brandade with Potted Shrimp Butter, Scotch eggs, Deep Fried Baby Artichokes with Rapeseed Oil Mayonnaise and Eton Mess all look worth returning for. There's also a wide selection of caviar on offer for the wealthier among us.
Whilst there we tried a damn good Cosmopolitan as well as a Galvin's Garden (gin, cucumber, apple juice) which was beautifully presented with an edible floral decoration. Cocktails are around the £15 mark, and wine starts at £32 - but the view makes them worth the extra splurge.
The relaunched Galvin Bar is open now at the top of the Hilton on Park Lane.
