Aspleys inside the Lanesborough Hotel in London is a Heinz Beck restaurant with a Michelin star. The location is ideal, on Hyde Park Corner in Knightsbridge. Everything is a short walk away and it’s easy to get to on an evening out.
The hotel is a class act, everywhere is spotless, very well presented with plenty of character. Aspleys is no different. It has an Italian ambience and the décor and furniture reflect that. It’s an elegant dining room with high ceilings, plush furnished, crisp white tablecloths and uniformed staff.
The lighting is intimate, the atmosphere relaxed and the service superb. It encourages conversation and promotes being social and talkative with your fellow diners. Despite the very high standards, it is unfussy and inclusive, making for a great evening venue.
We wanted for nothing, the dishes were served quickly and efficiently and the wine recommendations were perfect. The food is a mix of Italian with a French influence and some quality British ingredients. Everything looks immaculate, including the waiting staff. You know from the moment you walk in that you’re in for a good time.
We began with pumpkin soup, tomato consommé with vegetable cappeletti and totelli with duck. The pumpkin soup was delicious, with a rich, refined taste. The pumpkin shone through and every spoonful was completely enjoyable.
The tomato consommé and the duck were equally nice. The vegetables were completely fresh, perfectly prepared and retained each individual flavour. The duck was perfectly cooked, with a brown exterior and light pink inside. These dishes were the perfect start to our meal.
Main course soon followed. It was Dover sole with a breaded crust and ratatouille and fillet of beef in red wine. The Dover sole still tasted subtly of the sea and the breaded crust added a welcome texture to the fish.
The ratatouille was fresh, vibrant and tasted utterly delicious. Despite being a vegetable heavy meal, each was light, flavoursome and not overbearing at all.
The beef fillet was exactly was we had hoped. Nicely prepared with a pink centre with juices running through. It was mouth-watering to behold and even more satisfying to eat. The red wine sauce was rich, rounded and gave the whole dish a velvety undertone which was perfect.
“Aspleys at the Lanesborough Hotel lets you know from the moment you walk in that you’re in for a good time.”
Dessert was a chocolate soufflé and a milk dessert. The chocolate soufflé was light, rich and very decadent. It was perfectly prepared and a delightful end to the meal. The milk dessert was a new one for us and consisted of milk cooked in 6 very different ways. Believe when we say it tasted much better than it sounds.
Each course was served with a different wine. Our Sommelier was an obvious expert who communicated with us without any of the pretence or derision many display to their guests. He was knowledgeable and helpful and we took his recommendations for each course.
Every choice was spot on, and he is to be commended. The wine list is extensive, ranging across Europe with rich reds and crisp whites. It looks like as much thought has gone into the cellar as it obviously has with the kitchen.
The service at Aspleys was first rate. Our waiting staff were friendly, approachable, knowledgeable and ready to answer any questions. Our dishes were served promptly and cleared graciously. The quality of service we received does the restaurant credit.
It should be obvious that our experience was completely positive, and it was. The food was great, service superior and the entire experience is one we would happily repeat.
The Bill: £154 per person
