This Month’s Round-up

Hi Fellow Foodie,

Summer has now given way to autumn, bringing a change in the culinary landscape. However, this September I've been enjoying the last of the summer sun with a river boat cruise down the Douro River in Portugal, and then a sporty week of golf and padel tennis in La Manga, Spain. Needless to say, over both trips we found some lovely restaurants and enjoyed some great food, from food markets to fine dining.

This Month's Restaurant Review

I'll be honest—holidays meant just one review this month. But spending an afternoon at 2 Michelin-starred Trivet, experiencing cooking at this level, was more than enough. Some dishes you simply have to read about. See what impressed me here.

To fill the void, and as I know we have many new subscribers to the newsletter (thank you all for subscribing, I'm very grateful), below are a couple of favourite reviews from earlier in the year.

In May, I found myself in Bruton Place for a first visit to SILVA, a lovely Mediterranean restaurant which opened in November 2024. Our lunch was excellent, with many standout dishes, including the Basque cheesecake, which was something to behold. Read here why it was so good.

Bold claim time: in July, a visit to MiMi Mei Fair saw me served the best Peking duck I've ever tasted. Read about that very special duck and the rest of the Chinese banquet at MiMi’s .

Latest News

The Mayfair Chippy x Pieminister: A Match Made in Comfort Food Heaven

The Mayfair Chippy has teamed up with Bristol's beloved Pieminister for an exclusive autumn collaboration that's got us rather excited. Their limited-edition Moo & Oyster Pie (£24.95) launches on 30th September at both Knightsbridge and Mayfair locations.

This indulgent creation takes Pieminister's award-winning Moo steak pie—packed with 100% British beef—and gives it the full Mayfair treatment with a crowning Carlingford oyster. Served with crushed garden peas and HP gravy, it's the sort of hearty, warming dish that makes autumn evenings infinitely more bearable.

Available until spring, this Bristol-meets-Mayfair mashup promises to be the perfect antidote to those increasingly dark nights. Book ahead—something tells us this won't be hanging around.

Christopher's Covent Garden Reopens with Stylish New Look

Covent Garden favourite Christopher's has reopened after a chic refurbishment by interior designer Lucy Potter (formerly of Martin Brudnizki). The iconic American restaurant, housed in a beautiful Grade II-listed townhouse, now spans three floors, including the elegant main restaurant, art deco Martini Bar, and two stunning private dining rooms—the Sunset Room overlooking Waterloo Bridge and the intimate Club Room.

The menu still champions refined American classics, from their legendary chocolate brioche French toast at brunch to sophisticated evening dishes. Don't miss the Martini Bar's impressive cocktail selection and elevated bar snacks.

Christopher's has been serving modern American cuisine in the West End since 1991.

Also reopening this month after short summer closures is Roketsu, bringing a Japanese Kappo dining experience to diners, plus Larry Jaysaekara's highly acclaimed Cocochine in Bruton Place.

HIDE Makes Corkage a Friday Tradition After August Success

The response to HIDE's August corkage offer proved so overwhelming that the Mayfair restaurant has made it a permanent Friday fixture. Week after week, guests arrived with truly extraordinary bottles—from legendary estates such as Domaine Romanée-Conti and Mouton Rothschild to hidden gems that had spent years tucked away in personal cellars, even some wines guests had made themselves. The team found themselves captivated not just by the quality of what was being uncorked, but by the stories of how these precious bottles came to be on the table—memories preserved in glass that proved the perfect complement to both the restaurant's carefully crafted dishes and their own impressive wine programme.

Now, every Friday will see this ritual continue, with the offer extending to one bottle of wine or Champagne per person across breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Whether guests bring something special from home or make a strategic stop at nearby Hedonism Wines en route, Fridays at HIDE are officially designated for celebration. Reservations should mention corkage when booking, ensuring the sommelier team can prepare to give each bottle the attention it deserves. Read about my visit to Hide.

Nessa Negroni Lounge

If, like me, you missed having a Negroni during last week's Negroni Week, don't worry—the good people at Nessa Restaurant and Bar's Negroni Lounge are keeping the party going throughout October, with various events planned throughout the month. I'll certainly be popping in to enjoy my favourite cocktail, and I'd encourage you to do the same.

You can find Nessa at 86 Brewer St, London W1F 9UB

Crust Bros x Brother Marcus: The Ultimate East Med Pizza

This autumn, two of London’s favourite restaurant brands, Crust Bros and Brother Marcus, are coming together for the ultimate ‘bro’ collaboration. From 16th October to 24th November, Crust Bros will be serving the Ultimate East Med Pizza across all of its locations, expect a bold, flavour-packed creation inspired by the vibrant flavours of the Eastern Mediterranean.

The pizza itself is a true fusion of Crust Bros’ award-winning Neapolitan craft and Brother Marcus’ signature East Med flavours. Built on Crust Bros’ signature charred leopard print crust, Brother Marcus brings along a harissa tomato sauce topped with lamb kofta, caramelised pomegranate molasses onions, and chunks of fior di latte cheese and whipped lemon feta, finished with a drizzle of Aleppo chilli butter, a scattering of pomegranate seeds and pistachios, and served alongside a tzatziki dip. The result is a rich, vibrant and unforgettable pizza experience. Vegetarians are also well taken care of with an Aleppo butter-roasted aubergine replacing the lamb kofta. 

New Restaurants Opening

Michael Caines at The Stafford

Celebrated chef Michael Caines MBE has opened his first London restaurant at The Stafford in St James's. The September launch showcases Caines' distinctive 'terroir cuisine' philosophy, championing British seasonal produce through both à la carte options and his signature tasting menu. Expect refined dishes like Warm Lobster Salad with cardamom vinaigrette alongside Stafford classics such as Beef Wellington. There's also an exclusive 'City to Coast' package linking the London restaurant with Caines' Michelin-starred Lympstone Manor in Devon.

For reservations: [email protected] or +44(0)20 7518 1234

Lilibet's

Lilibet's has opened at 17 Bruton Street—Queen Elizabeth's birthplace—bringing exquisite seafood with British elegance to Mayfair. Created by restaurateur Ross Shonhan (Strawfire, Netsu), the concept imagines a Mediterranean Grand Tour that the young princess might have taken. The 160-cover restaurant spans multiple dining spaces from Oyster Bar to fireside grill, plus outdoor terrace and cocktail bar. Standout dishes include whole turbot pil pil and fried crab thermidor, but don't miss the theatrical Fish Triptych—where guests select a fish served three ways: crudo, grilled, and as soup.

17 Bruton Street, Mayfair
Bookings: www.lilibetsrestaurant.com

The Hart

The team behind The Pelican and The Hero pubs are opening another venue in the heart of Marylebone called The Hart. The pub officially opens on 1st October, and I can't tell you too much about the food yet as their website isn't fully operational. However, a good friend and excellent judge of these things popped in during the soft launch and had their kedgeree dish, which she described as excellent—that's a five-star rating in my book!

I do know that the pub will be serving traditional pub grub downstairs in the bar, with two dining spaces upstairs. I'll report back with more details after I've visited myself.

56 Blandford Street, London W1U 7JA

Great Value Set Menu Deals

Isabel Mayfair

Isabel's Mayfair lunch menu is a steal. Their Mediterranean-inspired 3-course menu offers plenty of choice for each course. Main course £22, 2 courses £32 and three for £39.

26 Albemarle Street, Mayfair W1S 4HY

Bluebird

The iconic Bluebird restaurant on Chelsea's King's Road offers their set menu between 12pm and 7pm Monday to Friday. Two courses £30—three courses £35.

350 King's Rd, London SW3 5UU

Joe Allen

Joe Allen, the American-style brasserie in Covent Garden, has an all-day set menu, with 2 courses costing £25 and £30 for three courses.

2 Burleigh St, London WC2E 7PX

Ollie's House Chelsea

Ollie's House Chelsea Asian restaurant on the Fulham Road offers a set evening menu (Sunday–Thursday) for a bargain price of £19.90 for 2 courses and £23.90 for three courses.

236 Fulham Rd, London SW10 9NB

If you have found any great value set menu deals please let me know.

Coming Up Next Month…

With my travels over for the year, I'm looking forward to some proper restaurant exploration. So far my schedule looks like this: first up is South Audley Street Italian Nipotina—I've been looking forward to eating there for ages. As mentioned above, I'm heading to the new restsurant opening Lilibet's which should be fun. Next up it's the Caviar House in Selfridges to roadtest their new brunch menu. Finally, I'm venturing out of London to sample the special lunch menu at Nick Bearshaw's Starling in Esher—3 courses for £30, which sounds like excellent value for a Michelin starred restaurant.

I'll be reporting back on all of these restaurant visits and lot’s lot’s more next month, but if you want to follow my exploits in real time, you can catch me on Instagram @themayfairfoodie.

Finally, I'm planning to get back in the kitchen and some new dishes add to our recipe section—I'm truly amazed by how popular they've become with readers of the website.

Thank you as always for taking the time to read this newsletter. I look forward to catching up with you next month. Have a wonderful October.

Best, Martin The Mayfair Foodie

[email protected]

www.mayfairfoodie.com

Instagram @themayfairfoodie