Quaglino's

Visit Quaglino's, a famous brasserie-style restaurant in the heart of London's St.James.

Quaglino's | Restaurant In St.James | D&D London

http://www.quaglinos-restaurant.co.uk

Restaurant Review: Quaglino's

With its sweeping staircase, live pianist and bustling, glamorous atmosphere, Quaglino’s feels a little like a cruise-ship diner from a bygone era (think the Titanic, but without the ice).

The perfect place to toast that special occasion, Quaglino’s attracts a diverse mix of loved-up couples, happy family groups and city boys spending their bonuses.

Seafood is one of head chef Craig James’s specialities and you’d be a fool to miss out, although the grill is also extremely popular.

We sampled rock oysters (£9 for six) and seared scallops (£11.50) for starters, followed by poached halibut in a saffron and mussel broth (£21) and rib-eye steak (£18.50).

If you’re there during the late autumn oyster season, however, champagne is a must as Quaglino’s extends its already impressive range of bubbly, making 13 different varieties, many vintage, available by the glass.

Quaglino's, London SW1, restaurant review - Telegraph

In a London beset by “sharing plates” (translation: small starters priced like middle courses), it is rather reassuring to see such an old-school menu: starters, mains, desserts.

I had octopus braised in red wine (£8.50), with chorizo and artichoke barigoule, which is where you turn these mighty autumnal creatures into something softer and more chic, by means of a vegetable broth.

The structure of the main courses is very gentlemen’s club, a protein centrepiece that one might, in some alternative universe, have shot oneself, and some side events that were technically made of vegetable, but were too creamy and fancy and delicious to really count as one of your five a day.

Highland wild deer (£21.50) was utterly gorgeous: in colour, almost too beautiful to eat, so richly red it made all other meat look farmed and anaemic.

A Glasgow icon that celebrates 44 years next month, this award-winning restaurant makes its venison haggis to the same recipe as when it first opened – with champit tatties and neep cream, it’s an unmissable starter (£8.95).

REVIEW: Quaglino's, Bury Street, Mayfair - The Foodaholic

The dining rooms tend to be soulless walls which are either too minimalistic, or completely over the top.has been around for more years then anyone realises –  I think it can quite rightly take accolade as a British institution.

It was so fresh, perfectly cooked and every time I get such a good example I’m always reminded why don’t I order more tuna.

Apart from making the dish look pretty the lotus crisp was pointless and tasteless, but the acidic grapefruit dressing left the mouth salivating and restored my faith back in ordering such dish again.

The wine list is awful, live music on some nights can be slightly odd and there were other dishes (which I didn’t photo) which weren’t quite up to scratch.

While my score may seem a little reserved, I’m still holding out, because I think the food here in time will only get better.

Quaglino's West End | London Restaurant Reviews | DesignMyNight

Spread out over two bars and one restaurant, enjoy the best quality drinks and fine dining in serious comfort.

Red curtains covering the grand stage give the place a theatrical feel, and rambunctiously large floral arrangements just add to the decadence.

Every detail has been painstakingly perfected, and art-deco features and an obscenely well stocked bar add the final flourish.

The drinks list is extensive and the cocktail menu tells the story of its illustrious past.

Starting with its foundation by Giovanni Quaglino in 1929, the menu guides guests on a journey of the glamorous happenings of the bar and its Mayfair neighbourhood, all priced at £12.75.

Quaglino's Mayfair London Restaurant Review | London Restaurant ...

Things have calmed down a bit now, and in 2014 the restaurant was reopened following a £3 million refurbishment by D&D; yes, it still serves its iconic seafood dishes but it’s now becoming more approachable with additions such as a three-course set menu for £30.

Perhaps it’s the completely mad interiors that have cemented Quaglino’s place in the London hall of fame, and D&D have remained loyal to the original extravagance of the building.

Quaglino’s seafood has been seducing diners for decades and it’s still just as good today.

The tuna steak with salsa verde was served rare and was similarly tender with the salsa adding a sweet zing to the fish.

Any man who can recommend a good cheese will always have a place in my heart, and our waiter knew his way round a cheese board.

Quaglino's, London SW1, restaurant review - Telegraph

In a London beset by “sharing plates” (translation: small starters priced like middle courses), it is rather reassuring to see such an old-school menu: starters, mains, desserts.

I had octopus braised in red wine (£8.50), with chorizo and artichoke barigoule, which is where you turn these mighty autumnal creatures into something softer and more chic, by means of a vegetable broth.

The structure of the main courses is very gentlemen’s club, a protein centrepiece that one might, in some alternative universe, have shot oneself, and some side events that were technically made of vegetable, but were too creamy and fancy and delicious to really count as one of your five a day.

Highland wild deer (£21.50) was utterly gorgeous: in colour, almost too beautiful to eat, so richly red it made all other meat look farmed and anaemic.

A Glasgow icon that celebrates 44 years next month, this award-winning restaurant makes its venison haggis to the same recipe as when it first opened – with champit tatties and neep cream, it’s an unmissable starter (£8.95).

Quaglino's, London SW1 – restaurant review | Life and style | The ...

‘Create your new Quaglino’s legend,” the website says, portentously.

“Lunch at Quag’s, sweetie,” cooed Patsy and Edina, crystallising its status as a 90s London icon.

Duck “magret gras” – the breast from the foie gras bird – sounds a thrill, but is dour, its “sauce diable” prissily angelic.

Well, they’re daft: pink almond “pavlova” (it ain’t: it’s stiff, dry meringue on a blob of cream), and a large, gnarly choux bun dismissed by the pal as “a bit like toenail clippings”, despite a lot of tableside faffing – sorry, theatre – with dark chocolate sauce.

Prince Harry has already dropped by, so it’s attracting a new generation of rackety royal.

Quaglino's | Restaurants in St James', London

There's a modern-European feel to the menu, with dishes ranging from cauliflower velouté with winter truffle to hand-chopped venison tartare with smoked oil, pickled shimeji and sourdough melba, oysters, caviar, Dover sole meuniere and a duck egg bubble and squeak with charred leek, sautéed mushrooms and glazed baby onions.

Keep an eye out for seasonal menus, bites at the bar and fancy brunches, too - including the 'Q Brunch' on Saturdays, with live music, bottomless prosecco and a menu of classic brunch options such as omelette Arnold Bennett, eggs royale or scrambled eggs with lobster and a spinach muffin.

The wine list - slanted toward big-hitting old world regions - is extensive, with many of its bottles available by the glass and the carafe.

A wide-ranging champagne selection and an array of classic cocktails are also available.