There's always been social distancing between the tables at Wiltons - that's to allow the trolleys plenty of space to roam the room.
At a time when a restaurant is doing well to make it to its teenage years, the venerable Wiltons is chalking up an astonishing 280 years of serving up food to Londoners.
Starting life as an oyster stall on the Haymarket in 1742 when George II was on the throne, Wiltons has been in its current location on Jermyn Street since the eighties. Now it's the kind of place you're as likely to spot a star of the stage and screen (Game of Thrones' Gwendolyn Christie was in most recently) as you are a member of the royal family.
To celebrate its 280th birthday the St James restaurant has devised a seven-course anniversary menu that they'll be serving throughout the summer to guests. Costing £280 (see what they did there?) the menu includes many of the restaurant's signature dishes along with fine wine pairings.
We popped along to try it out. If you fancy trying it yourself, here's what you'll enjoy:
Crisp oyster with oyster mayonnaise, cucumber and shiso cress. Served with Wiltons' house Chablis. Oysters are how Wiltons started and they're still a huge part of its offering today, with masterclasses on offer throughout the year at the restaurant's oyster bar.
Secret Smokehouse's smoked salmon with crab, avocado and Aquitaine caviar. Served with a Pouilly Fume from Domaine A Cailbourdin.
Lobster bisque with a lobster, Armagnac and tarragon cream - served with a Saint Romain Blanc Burgundy.
At this point you have a choice, to opt for what is probably the restaurant's most-ordered dish, their Dover Sole, or a more meaty option of lamb. In an ideal world, you'll dine with people ordering each of them so you can try them both.
Dover sole topped with teeny Isle of Wight tomatoes and served with a Marsannay Rose from Bruno Clair.
Rhug Estate lamb with English peas, baby gem and tarragon - served with a glass of Cote de Beaune from Domaine Jean & Gilles Lafouge.
After this, there's a quick, but delicious, palate cleanser of green apple mousse before you hit the heady heights of dessert.
English strawberry souffle with pistachio ice cream and served with a glass of Nyetimber Demi-Sec.
Finally, it's hardly a trip to Wiltons if you don't get a visit from the sticky and spirits trolley, so the final course of petit fours comes with a glass of Remy Martin.
More about the Wiltons 280th-anniversary dinner
Where is it? 55 Jermyn St, St. James's, London SW1Y 6LX
When? 1 July - 31 August 2022 (dinner only). The dinner costs £280 including paired wines, water and service.
Find out more: Visit their website or follow them on Instagram @wiltons1742
Hot Dinners dined as guests of Wiltons. Prices are correct at time of publication.
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