Dinner by Heston Blumenth
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"Doesn’t deserve a Michelin star, much less 2"
Reasonable restaurant, but not deserving of a Michelin star—let alone two. It does not deliver the haute cuisine experience it promises. The environment is very noisy, and the menu is extremely limited and simplistic, featuring dishes like meat and potatoes without much sophistication. The wine list is also quite limited in variety.
"A Masterful Journey Through British Culinary History at Dinner by Heston Blumenthal"
Dining at Dinner by Heston Blumenthal in The Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park is an extraordinary exploration of British culinary heritage, brought to life with Heston’s signature inventive touch. The restaurant’s concept, deeply rooted in historical recipes researched alongside food historians and the British Library, creates a unique experience where every dish tells a story of Britain’s gastronomic past. We began with the Hay Smoked Salmon, a beautiful nod to 18th-century smoking methods. The dish perfectly balanced delicate smokiness with fresh, clean flavors, showcasing Heston’s talent for elevating tradition with modern finesse. The iconic Meat Fruit was a revelation—an artistic creation inspired by a 16th-century recipe. This vibrant mandarin-shaped dish conceals a silky chicken liver parfait, whose subtle richness paired exquisitely with the fresh mandarin gel, making it both surprising and delightful. Next, the Roast Cod & Green Sauce brought together tender cod roasted to perfection and a vibrant herbaceous sauce with parsley, basil, garlic, and lemon juice. The bright, zesty sauce complemented the cod’s richness beautifully, illustrating Heston’s mastery at reinterpreting historical dishes. The Fillet of Hereford Beef, dating from the 19th century, was another highlight. Cooked gently to preserve tenderness and juiciness, it was served with traditional mushroom ketchup—an earthy, umami-packed condiment that enhanced the beef without overwhelming it. The grand finale was the Tipsy Cake, served in a cast-iron pot topped with caramelized brioche. This warm, brandy-infused custard-soaked cake, paired with caramelized spit-roasted pineapple, delivered a perfect harmony of sweetness, warmth, and acidity. It exemplified Heston’s genius for turning simple ingredients into an extraordinary, contemporary celebration of British tradition. Dining at Dinner by Heston Blumenthal is much more than a meal—it’s an immersive experience showcasing the artistry and rich heritage of British cuisine, brilliantly reinvented. This is a must-visit destination for anyone eager to savor history served on a plate.
"Very good food, disappointing wine prices"
Negatives: The wine pricing, particularly by the glass, feels excessively steep. For example, a modest glass of claret was served in a surprisingly small measure and cost £40—roughly the wholesale price of an entire bottle. This pricing approach may be intended to offset kitchen costs, but it leaves diners feeling more shortchanged than indulged. Similarly, the cheese course was disappointing; instead of a traditional cheese trolley offering an eclectic selection, we received a pre-selected platter that lacked choice. While the fixed-price menu might explain this, it still fell short of expectations. To their credit, the restaurant deducted the cheese course from our bill after we expressed our dissatisfaction. Overall: The restaurant was only half full during our visit, which is concerning. It boasts an opulently beautiful, if somewhat noisy, atmosphere and truly deserves success. However, based on our experience, it risks falling between two stools: it neither feels generous nor, despite the high prices, truly good value.
"Amazing chateaubriand"
We booked well in advance, but the restaurant was surprisingly quiet. We chose to sit outside, enjoying the beautiful views of the fountains and the drone show. The service was possibly the best we’ve had in Dubai — our waitress thoroughly explained every course with care and enthusiasm. I opted for the chateaubriand all to myself, and it was amazing! The steak was incredibly tender, bursting with flavor, and impressively generous in size. We absolutely loved the entire experience.
"Very good"
I must stress from the outset that the food was by no means poor — some of it was genuinely delicious. The service, too, was impeccable: warm, engaged, and particularly attentive. My thanks go to Ryan, Amy, and the lovely Irish waitress whose name I sadly did not catch. Dinner aims to offer an insight into Heston’s mind, but on that front, I felt it fell somewhat flat. Heston is undeniably a genius, whose eccentricities shine best in The Fat Duck. I have no doubt that Dinner was once special on opening, but now it no longer quite conveys that same magic. Why do I say this? A couple of reasons. The room, for one, feels a little dated on closer inspection, with worn tables and décor that lacks real grandeur. While that is somewhat tangential to the main experience, it does impact the overall atmosphere. What about the food itself? I ordered from the à la carte and constructed my own five-course tasting — a concept I think more restaurants should adopt, so thank you to Ryan for accommodating that. The iconic Meat Fruit is exceptionally cool in presentation and quite tasty, embodying a classic chicken parfait. For my palate, I’d have preferred it fattier — the glossier, the better, in my opinion. The second course was a knockout: cucumber and lobster soup. Remarkable — perfectly seasonal, beautifully plated, with harmonious flavors, and very generous with the lobster. What’s not to like? My main was turbot with green sauce — a solid dish, if slightly lacking. The fish could have used a bit more salt, and I might have preferred a different cooking technique. According to my waiter, the turbot undergoes a slow cook followed by a plancha flash for color; I think a pan-seared approach might suit it better. But hey, I don’t hold two Michelin stars! The chips, however, were exemplary — if every chip tasted like those, the world would be a better place. Dessert was perhaps the least inspiring course for me, albeit pleasant. Ryan generously provided a complimentary Tipsy Cake, which was enjoyable but not very dense, and despite my sweet tooth, I found it a bit too sweet. The chocolate bar was good, though not quite innovative compared to, say, Claude Bosi’s asparagus with chocolate or indulgent like Sofian Msetfi’s delicious Millefeuille. In sum, Dinner was very good indeed. Would I return with friends? Absolutely. Would I make a special trip again? Unlikely. Still, I remain grateful to the team for a memorable evening.
"Family lunch"
Fantastic food and service with a beautiful view overlooking Hyde Park. We enjoyed the fixed-price menu with wine pairings. It wasn’t cheap, but I couldn’t find a single fault with the experience.
Dinner by Heston Blumenth
Historical British cuisine reimagined. Offers vegetarian versions of signature dishes like "Meat Fruit".
Address
66 Knightsbridge, London SW1X 7LA, United Kingdom
Email
[email protected]
Telephone
+442072013833