LONDON
Sofitel London St James Cont ...
BAGDELLS WOOD
Dinner at Wild Honey was an absolute highlight of our stay . The restaurant exudes a warm , intimate ambience , with soft lighting and art deco-inspired décor , while the playlist , again a nuanced approach to luxury with a modern edge , was a homage to the best of British 70 ’ s punk pop .
The culinary experience at Wild Honey is helmed by celebrated chef , Anthony Demetre . Known for his Michelin-starred expertise , Demetre masterfully blends classic French techniques with the finest seasonal British ingredients . Renowned for dishes that combine sophistication and sustainability , which is a cornerstone of his approach , Demetre ’ s menu offerings include innovative takes on classic flavours , yet is served as an inspired three-course à la carte offering for a generous £ 95 per person .
We began with artisanal sourdough bread , rewarded with an entire loaf warm from the oven and served with Ampersand-cultured butter . Next came starters . The Isle of Orkney hand-dived scallop was the biggest , plumpest scallop you can imagine , offset by a delicate yet aromatic white Vermouth and XO sauce adding layers of umami depth with sea herbs adding a bright , briny freshness . While my crispy Sutton Hoo chicken was the rustic yet refined choice . Boasting golden , crispy skin which gave way to succulent , flavourful meat doused in wild mushroom cèpe cream , the dish exuded earthy , winter warmth , while the hand-cut macaroni added a touch of indulgence , its al dente bite contrasting beautifully with the velvety sauce .
For mains , the Aynhoe Park venison was a game-forward experience ; the rich , lean meat paired harmoniously with violino pumpkin and endive , while crushed apple , wet walnuts and a nuanced date and tamarind sauce delivered a delightful balance of sweetness , acidity and earthy crunch . The grilled belted Galloway beef proved to be my steak-lover ’ s dream , featuring a robustly flavoured , expertly cooked cut paired with wild mushrooms and earthy heritage beetroot and truly showcasing British produce at its best . While the wild black Voatsiperifery pepper sauce , with its complex , floral spice added a final flourish that lingered deliciously on the palate .
For dessert we faced our biggest dilemma as my all time favourite tarte tatin was on the menu , however so were ‘ It has to be Custard ’ - Wild Honey ’ s signature dessert ... and a wild honey dessert with warm madeleines … and a warm chocolate soup .
Aided at once by our super attentive server and sommelier who had been making
flawless recommendations all evening , we eventually found ourselves with the custard - a deliciously smooth baked custard tart on the crispy and shortest of buttered pastry tart … and a bowl of wild honey ice cream with madeleines the size of our fist served straight from the oven while fresh honey was carved tableside … Oh , and maybe just a small bowl of the chocolate soup , which had the flavour profiles of a decadent souffle without the rise served with rich and equally decadent estate dairy milk ice cream - whoops !
The Sofitel London St James isn ’ t just a hotel , it ’ s an experience . Whether you ’ re a traveller seeking a luxurious base to explore London or a local looking for a decadent retreat or indulgent dinner , this gem offers a perfect blend of elegance , comfort and world-class hospitality .
It manages to be both a refuge of tranquillity and a celebration of life ’ s finest pleasures and has confidently and bravely navigated its position to offer an unpretentious and modern edge to timeless luxury stays - a rare combination that ensures its place among London ’ s most beloved hotel destinations .
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