Planning a special supper and looking for a central London setting that's a cut above the rest? Well, how does a luxurious, grand hotel established in 1865 and nestled in the heart of Regents Street sound? Hotel Café Royal was created by French wine merchant Daniel Nicholas Thévenon and for over 150 years has played host to some of the best food and wine in the city, entertaining guests such as Oscar Wilde and David Bowie in its extravagant rooms.
Today, the hotel brings together both old and new with a mix of heritage and modern interiors, a perfect example of which is Barbounia, an exclusive restaurant in the heart of the building. Sultry grey walls contrast nicely with rich, green marble tables and black and white photography, hanging smartly on the walls. Whether you're planning a birthday dinner, a client meeting or a catch up with a close friend, Barbounia is a gorgeous spot.
While the menu leans mostly towards a Mediterranean influence, there's plenty of European and British dishes, too, spanning across a plethora of courses. Kick things off with something from the raw counter such as wild sea bass carpaccio or red tuna tartare. Starters look like pumpkin soup with Pecorino cheese, chili, parsley and croutons, alongside grilled octopus with potatoes and fried capers, as well as black truffle arancini.
For mains, indulge in the likes of Scottish salmon with potato mousseline, as well as breaded veal cutlet with rocket and tomatoes or grilled black Angus ribeye, topped off with sides like broccoli with garlic and chilli. If fresh pasta is more your thing, we think the lobster tortellini sounds delicious. Then, you could top things off with a dessert such as tiramisu or homemade rum baba for a bit of a kick.