Discover Dinner by Heston, Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, London
It is never easy naming a restaurant. On this occasion, I wanted something that represented our menu that is inspired by historic British gastronomy, so I searched for a name that had a bit of history, but was also fun. — Heston Share
Dinner began in the late 90s with Heston Blumenthal’s fascination with historic gastronomy. The savoury ice creams of the late 1800s, the theatre of the Tudor dining experiences and the dishes of Alice’s adventures in Wonderland all resonated with his unique approach to cooking.
Together with Ashley Palmer-Watts the two chefs created a menu that takes those discoveries and fascinations of history into a new and evolving modern dining experience. Researching 14th century cookbooks such as those by the royal chefs of King Richard II to Lewis Carroll’s flights of fancy.
The restaurant interior has been conceived as a subtle, elegant portrait – contemporary and innovative, yet mindful of tradition. The dining room features floor-to-ceiling glass walls, giving diners a view of the kitchen and its unique pulley system. Modelled after a version used by the royal court, the pulleys rotate the spit over an open-fire.
The ivory-painted walls are decorated with custom-made porcelain wall sconces in the shape of antique jelly moulds and of course the uninterrupted views of Hyde Park brings the connection to history full circle
The menu offers modern dishes, inspired by historic British gastronomy whilst its private dining room, inspired by the 16th century Tudor architectural style, seats up to 12 guests around an oval sapele and rosewood table with large, comfortable chairs sumptuously covered in rich, red velvet.
Address: Dinner by Heston Blumenthal, Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, 66 Knightsbridge, London SW1X 7LA
Visit Dinner by Heston – www.dinnerbyheston.co.uk
