Mixing up cocktails for the fashion crowd
So what do we need to know?
This is the fashion brand's first restaurant in London. If you've been to either their American or Paris spots you'll see that this has echoes of The Polo Bar, with elements of the newest addition to the brand Ralph's Coffee.
Where is it?
About halfway down Regent Street inside the Polo Ralph Lauren store. There's a separate entrance direct on to Regent Street or you can enter via the ground floor of the store too.
Where should we sit?
It's a pretty small place, and we'd expect it to be busy, so just grab yourself a table if you can - the seats are made with saddle leather and VERY comfortable. Or pop yourself up on one of the 12 stools at the bar.
Tuna tartare with avocado and soy ginger dressing
It's a bar so presumably there's plenty to drink?
There's all manner of coffees to be had during the day but yes, in the early evenings (it closes at 8pm) this would make a very nice start to the evening with one of the many classic cocktails and new drinks they've devised especially for London. We tried a Ridgeway Margaritas - complete with polo swizzle stick - but actually preferred our classic vodka martini. Cocktails range in price from £14-16 and there are two warm drinks on their too if you're coming in out of the cold.
And to eat?
Although this place is open all day, kicking off with breakfast, we popped in to try their larger dishes. Their charcuterie and cheese board (£15) was a generous serving of European and British meats and cheese but our favourite dish was a standout tunat tartare with avocado and soy ginger dressing. (Almost as good as the late lamented Rex & Mariano's one according to the teenage fashionista we brought with us).
To follow we both had the club sandwich (£14) which was a pretty decent one.
Desserts are trad American and from what we had we'd urge you to pick the platter of Ralph's favourites (£8) - a sweet selection of mini versions of other desserts on the menu, featuring a brownie, tiny cheesecake and caramel corn.
Ralph's favourites dessert
Overall thoughts
With not too much in the way to compete with it, this side of Regent Street, we reckon Ralph's Coffee & Bar is going to make a killing. Let's hope they manage to extend the license as this would be a seriously useful bolthole in this part of town.
Ralph’s Coffee & Bar is at 169-173 Regent St, Mayfair, London W1B 5TQ. Opening hours are daily from 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM (Monday to Saturday) and 12:00 PM – 6:00 PM (Sunday).
