The legendary restaurant that is The Connaught Grill has returned! After being closed for 20 years, the iconic Mayfair hot-spot is now reopen and is set to take the restaurant world by storm once again. The Connaught Grill, once one of London’s most celebrated restaurants (1955-2000) and home to the original power players of the capital, has reopened this month with a menu full of delectable delights including oysters, a spectacular roast dinner, and a mouth-watering Baked Alaska. Previously being described as the place that 'serves the finest meal in the British Isles', the Grill reopens this month with a respectful nod to its distinguished heritage, but with a contemporary re-interpretation in both the design and in the cuisine.
The open kitchen in The Connaught Grill allows guests to see chefs cook on a theatrical wood-burning grill and rotisserie. Meat and fish are grilled using British hardwood charcoal with embers of burnt apple wood. Once ignited, the grill’s constant heat seals and enhances natural flavours, adding subtle sweet notes carried from the apple wood. Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten pays homage to classic grill dining, but with his own signature twists of modernity, and using ingredients with the finest provenance. His favourite from the original menu, the fabled ‘Oeuf en Surprise’ a boiled egg, wrapped in ham and aspic, topped with truffle and caviar, is reinterpreted as a three cheese soufflé served with a softly cooked egg and black truffle fondue.
For the true best of British comfort, a ‘Pie of the Day’ menu celebrates traditional favourites such as steak and kidney, oxtail and bone marrow, shepherd’s and seafood pie. A Sunday Roast is presented and carved on the restored silver trolley from the original Grill, wild seabass en croute is a ceremonious pastry-enrobed showstopper, carved tableside in true old-school Connaught style, and a knife menu is presented alongside meat and fish, harking back to service moments of yesteryear. Ensuring balance, light and vegetarian dishes include shaved brussels sprouts salad topped with an organic fried egg, raw diver scallop served in the shell and topped with finger lime, and wild mushroom salad with a herbal pine nut dressing. Sashimi, oysters and langoustines are served spectacularly on vast bowls of ice.
Not forgetting, there are some wonderful traditional British favourites that appear on the dessert menu, overseen by Executive Pastry Chef Nicolas Rouzaud, including sticky toffee pudding served with butterscotch sauce and clotted cream sorbet, chocolate soufflé topped with ice cream and flambéed Baked Alaska.
Unusually, the restaurant, which is situated on the ground floor of the hotel, has no signage. A discreet rosewood-clad corridor leads guests to the room, with custom cabinets lining the corridor walls with one-of-a-kind vintages of wines and champagnes drawn from The Connaught’s extensive wine cellar, accompanied by works of art by design masters Louise Bourgeois, Idris Khan and Le Corbusier.
The 46-seat restaurant is a showcase of contemporary creativity and craftsmanship, designed to create a legacy for years to come. Against the original Connaught ceiling with its ornate mouldings and arches, John Heah has created a subtle backdrop in which to showcase the extraordinary artistry of George Nakashima Woodworkers. Handcrafted American black walnut runs throughout the space – in the structure of the dining booths, the free-form edge tables and chairs, and the magnificent solid back panels. All the wood was carefully chosen, polished, cut and trimmed in the Nakashima workshop in Pennsylvania and assembled at The Connaught under the watchful eye of the late woodworker, architect and furniture maker’s daughter Mira Nakashima. The raw panels with their natural fissures are bound with elegant butterfly joints – a Nakashima signature.
After a long day of shopping on Bond Street, why not stop to refuel with a delightful meal at The Connaught Grill. Reservations for this iconic restaurant are open now so don't hesitate in securing your booking at this spectacular restaurant and try some of the unmissable delicacies on the menu.
Monday to Sunday:
Lunch: 12pm - 2.45pm
Dinner: 6pm - 10.45pm
For more information on The Connaught, please see here.