As soon as you approach The Savoy you know it’s going to be a special evening, with the grandeur of the hotel entrance where doormen wait to greet you in three piece suits, and luxury cars drop guests off for the night.
Inside the Savoy Grill, Swarovski chandeliers hang from the ceiling, white table cloths drape over each table with a dim lamp for added ambience, and jazz music plays softly in the background. Chuck in some indoor smoking and Winston Churchill, and you’d be forgiven for thinking we’d stepped back into the 1950s.
The menu here continues the theme of classic with a luxurious flare, and we opt for the tasting menu to sample it all. Our meal starts with a couple of small bites, with a creamy Gougère, and a ‘bloody mary oyster’ topped with celery, tomato and vodka. These are followed by an Arnold Bennett souffle (which may well be the only thing richer than the upholstery) which is packed with smoked haddock and Montgomery cheddar sauce - it’s not a dish for the faint hearted, but for those who come ready to indulge, it’s a beautiful thing. Naturally, the main course is a beef wellington - infamous at the Savoy Grill - which arrives as a perfectly pink fillet, sitting alongside a piped pomme puree that would put all others to shame.
We round off with The Savoy Eclair, giving flavours of raspberry, vanilla and lime, which while perfectly good, is surpassed by the raspberry sorbet which packs a punch whilst still remaining refreshing. Each dish is paired with wine, and expertly chosen by the head sommelier who takes his time to talk us through every flavour profile.
It’s all in the details here, from pulling out your chair, to the Maitre d' who keeps the show ticking over whilst telling stories of customers past - be it of anniversaries or post war celebrations. It gives character to the restaurant, and makes us want to have all of our special moments here, so we too can be part of the Savoy Grill’s history.