It’s been over a year since celebrated chef Jason Atherton announced he was parting ways with the prestigious Biltmore Hotel on London’s Grosvenor Square, and since then we’ve been patiently waiting to see what the team would come up with next. This summer we finally got the answer and trust us, it’s a good one.
A luxurious steakhouse that specialises in surf and turf, Grill 88 is a sophisticated spot that is perfect for everything from an intimate date night or family celebration. While it was quiet the night we dined, we were too busy indulging in a selection of expertly-prepared dishes from a menu designed by Executive Chef Luis Campos, which celebrates only the highest quality ingredients, to notice the quiet. A slick open kitchen takes centre stage, where chefs work their magic on the likes of Lake District Sirloin Steaks, Japanese Wagyu, Australian cuts, and the finest Kelly and Gillardeau oysters. “To me, cooking is a lifestyle,” says Chef Campos. “It gives you not only what you need to stay creative on a daily basis, but also something special to share with your family, friends and community. When designing the menu, I looked back on my travels around the globe and aimed to bring not only some of the world’s highest-quality meat cuts, but also experimental flavours, to Grill 88 and Mayfair.”
Try not to fill up on the homemade bread and flavoured butter as you peruse the menu while kicking things off with an expertly-crafted cocktail or crisp glass of pink grape. As for the food, the bone marrow with ox cheek, crispy shallot and country bread is a particular highlight from the starters, as is the lemon cured rainbow trout with Datterini tomato consommé, Physalis gel and citric velouté.
The steaks, of course, are the stars of the show, and you can opt for the likes of Australian Wagyu tenderloin ceremoniously cooked at your table on Himalayan salt or a lava block, or, as we recommend, your choice cut grilled to perfection in the kitchen for beef that simply melts in the mouth. Halal meat is also available, so be sure to enquire with your waiter, while there are also larger cuts to share – think a full-blood Wagyu chateaubriand or tomahawk – which come served with triple cooked chips and a mixed leaf salad.
If red meat isn’t your thing then fret not – a myriad of seafood options including grilled native lobster, platters and oysters grace the menu. There are less options for vegetarians, but there is a divine spinach tagliolini with wild mushrooms and ricotta cheese that should be sure to hit the spot. As for desserts, be sure to save room for the organic Peruvian chocolate lava cake and classic New York cheesecake which, despite being completely indulgent, you’ll be craving for weeks to come.
It’s not just about great food here either. Evoking the glamour of times gone by with its sleek Art Deco inspired interiors, the restaurant’s ambiance is serene yet sultry. Sage green tones are complemented by cool white marble surfaces and brushed brass metalwork, and as the early evening sunlight flows in at dusk thanks to large sash windows overlooking Grosvenor Square, you’ll easily be able to see what all the fuss is about. Book now
