The Meat: Alyn Williams at the Westbury is one of those restaurants that has been on my list of restaurants to go to for two years but I hadn’t quite gotten around to. I’m glad I finally did. After five years as head chef of two-Michellin starred Marcus Wareing at the Berkeley, Alyn Williams started his own restaurant at the Westbury in 2011 to rave reviews. This was soon followed by a Michelin star and a National Chef of the Year award. In comparison to Marcus Waering at the Berkeley, which focuses on great traditional cooking, the menu here is subtle, light, fresh and inventive. The tasting menu is one of the best I have tried this year. The ambience is an extension of the Westbury, which I must say that I find slightly dated. The noise levels can also be uncomfortably low (so much so that we had to uncharacteristically ask for some background music when we first got to the Wine Room) but a few courses in everyone loosens up with all that good food and wine
Perfect for: Tasting menu, special occasions, private dining
Who to take: Partner, foodie, friends
Cuisine: Modern European
Price: £90 for a seven-course tasting menu with drinks and service
Area: Mayfair
The verdict: 5*
Other’s verdict: Toptable – 4.5/5; Andy Hayler – 16/20
Personal favourite: All of it
Where to sit: The Wine Room (it’s much nicer than the main restaurant area)
Reservations: Yes
Website: http://www.alynwilliams.com/
Address: Alyn Williams at the Westbury, 37 Conduit Street, London W1S 2YF
Telephone: +44 (0)207 183 6426
We ordered:
Crab, miso, pepper dulse and tomato
Orkney scallop, cucumber, muscatel and scallop broth
Burrata, Iberico ham, watermelon and cobnuts
Cod, squash, maple, bacon and leeks
Salisbury venison, pear, chestnut and mostarda
Devon ruby red sirloin and cheek, turnips and croutons
Selection of cheese
Cornish cheesecake, persimmon and ginger ale
Caramelised white chocolate and passion fruit
The Debrief 