The stunning Michelin-starred restaurant Galvin at Windows, is located on the 28th Floor of London Hilton on Park Lane and was launched in May 2006. It is superbly situated in the heart of Mayfair. With an interior evoking the glamour of the 1930s, we were intrigued to find out why this bar and restaurant has become one of the most talked about destinations since opening, and has maintained its Michelin- starred status each year since 2009.
On arrival we were taken to the Galvin at Windows bar where they offer a wide range of cocktails, from the classic martini and negroni to the specially created ‘signature cocktails’ that showcase the knowledge and expertise of the team. We were able to relax with a glass of Galvin champagne, whilst we marvelled over the 360 degree stunning views over the capital, including some of the most iconic sites: from the sky scrapers of the City and Canary Wharf, to the London Eye, Hyde Park, Buckingham Palace and Wembley Stadium. This bar and restaurant certainly boasts some of the most spectacular views of London.
Chef Patron Chris Galvin and his team create seasonally inspired menus based around modern French haute cuisine. All of which make this a sought-after dining experience and a definite place to go if you are looking to impress, celebrate a special occasion or just have a great time with friends, colleagues or family. The kitchen is led by Head Chef Joo Won, who has been at the restaurant since 2006 and has worked his way up the ranks from Chef de Partie to Head Chef.
We enjoyed the Menu Prestige, priced at £82 for three sumptuous courses. But, there are a range of other menus available including a 7-course tasting menu at £119 per head, and some fabulous ‘affordable’ offers on the website.
The seasonally inspired Menu Prestige offers a good variety of dishes, and gives you the option of starting the meal with a choice of caviar (at an additional cost). Starters include Ballotine of Foie Gras with spice salt, orange, pistachio, & honey millefeuille, Marinated Iberico Pork with mooli and pickled mushroom, and Salad of Asparagus, Turnips, Lemon Grass & Romseco. I opted for the Cured Loch Fyne Salmon, brown crab mousseline & celeriac remoulade. My wife chose the Veloute´ of Mushrooms, hen egg, confit duck legs & wild garlic pesto. Both of these dishes were beautifully presented and memorable for their flavours, quality and texture.
The main course selection held great appeal to me, including such offerings as Lobster Risotto & tarragon oil, Fillet of Scotch Beef, braised shallot, short rib beignet, ox tongue & red wine jus (both dishes supplement £6), or the Pan-Fried Red Mullet with shellfish ravioli, aioli & spinach. I selected the Rump of Lamb, glazed breast, Bolognese, goat cheese & jus gras. The lamb was perfectly lean, with a deliciously rich jus. I enjoyed the pairing of goats cheese and Bolognese too, giving an exciting twist to the dish. The friendly Sommelier had recommended matching this with a glass of Chianti, which provided the perfect accompaniment. My wife ordered the Fillet of Stone Bass, caponata, olive, crispy baby squid & courgette. This dish did not disappoint - the delicate flavour of the fish still discernible
amongst the olive, caponata and baby squid.
Ahead of dessert we enjoyed a selection of seasonal cheeses by Mai^tre affineur ‘Buchanans’. This is available as an additional course for £18 or as a dessert choice for a £12 supplement. The selection of desserts is one of the best I have seen in a long time, with recommended wines to complement each choice. I was won over by the Valrhona Chocolate “Cigar ”, Tonka, Coffee, Bourbon Sponge & Hazelnut Ice Cream (with a delicious glass of Madeira), whilst my wife opted for the Pear Souffle´ with warm Salt Caramel Fudge and Cinnamon Ice Cream. This she declared to be heaven on a plate, and I have to say I was blown away by the delicacy of the texture.
The whole experience was enhanced by the easy-going, friendly attention of our Sommelier. She did a fantastic job of pairing each course perfectly with wines from a wide- ranging list. The Cognac trolley is, in itself, a sight to behold, made up of some of the most beautifully ornate bottles I have seen. A the end of the meal, with the gentlest of persuasion, she suggested that a digestif was a perfect idea. She was right, of course!
The highly attentive, yet unobtrusive service, coupled with some of the most jaw-dropping views of London, makes this restaurant a real destination, but your reason for visiting Galvin at Windows should first and foremost be for the food. With menus to suit a wide range of occasions and budgets - including a dedicated Kids Menu and Sunday Lunch Menu, Michelin-star cuisine is more accessible than you might think.
Galvin at Windows London Hilton on Park Lane, Mayfair, London W1K 1BE
- Telephone 020 7208 4021 - website
