Five years after it first opened its doors in Mayfair, Wild Honey has had a bit of a makeover with a fresh new design from top restaurant designer Martin Brudnizki. Brudnizki is the man behind such 'looks like they've been their forever' gems such as 34, Dean Street Townhouse and Les Deux Salons and he's certainly worked his magic here.
Hot Dinners popped along to try lunch there this week and the place really has had quite a transformation. The counter which used to be just inside the doors has moved into the heart of the restaurant and now looks to be a top place for counter dining. The booths which used to divide the room into 'haves and have-nots' have been removed and the whole place is more light and welcoming. And it's not all Brudnizki's magic touch - as chef/proprietor Anthony Demetre confided, a huge amount of different came from simply adding tablecloths.
We tried both lunch menus - the a le carte as well as the 'working lunch' set menu, which is great value at £24 for two courses and £27 for three. Clearly they're doing something right as the place was simply packed.
After an additional comforting bowl of ribbolito, from the working lunch we started with an impeccable hand-chopped beef tartare and then moved on to Cornish cod served with broccoli and a lip-puckering grapefruit, honey and ginger preserve. We were almost derailed by dessert a huge bowl of rice pudding with caramelised milk jam and cocoa nibs which would have served three. For the a-la-carte, belly of pork with snails and garlic (£11) was a autumnal forest-scented dish which led nicely on to the Label Anglaise roast chicken with gorgeous fresh cepes and sweetcorn (£26). Dessert for the 10-year-old dining companion was a no-brainer - warm chocolate soup with milk sorbet £8 which is a signature dessert here and always on the menu.
As we move towards Winter, Wild Honey is always on our radar for somewhere supremely comfortable to hunker down and enjoy a meal at, and with Anthony Demetre in the kitchen you know you're going to eat well. The good thing about Brudnizki's work here is that he's kept the comfort levels of the dining room high whilst making every spot in the room a good one now (although our table right at the back looking into the room was still the best for people watching!)
Wild Honey is at 12 Saint George Street, London W1S 2FB. Find out more.
Hot Dinners were invited to try Wild Honey. Prices are correct at time of writing.
