The Park is an all-day restaurant in Bayswater from lauded restaurateur Jeremy King, the man also behind celebrated restaurants Le Caprice, the Ivy and the Wolseley. He also formed one half of former restaurant group Corbin & King, which owned The Delaunay and Brasserie Zédel.
The Park is a new world grand cafe, inspired largely by French brasseries but with a distinctive modern twist. It’s set inside a shiny new development on the corner of Queensway and Bayswater Road, for example, and the decor throughout is decidedly retro with lots of warm woods, pill-shaped light fixtures, large mirrors and cosy booths.
The all-day menu also draws on flavours old and new, from chicken Milanese to a chopped cobb salad. It’s split between snacks and appetisers, salads, sandwiches, pasta, mains and sides. Examples include a summer minestrone or shrimp cocktail to start, while sandwiches span a classic hot dog, lobster roll and ‘The Park’ cheeseburger. For main course, you might prefer to go heavy with a grilled veal chop with sage butter, or lighter with summer squash gnocchi.
Alongside a list of classic desserts, you’ll also find a dedicated selection of ice creams and sundaes, from ice cream cookie sandwiches to a caramelised banana split.
The Park is also open for breakfast and brunch seven days a week. Pastries, bagels and cereals are available Monday to Friday, while more substantial options take the form of potato latkes with fried eggs, buttermilk pancakes with maple syrup and bacon, and eggs cooked pretty much any way you like.
The wine list is available by the glass, carafe or bottle and features heavily on producers from California and Italy. Signature cocktails, a dedicated Negroni menu, punchy ‘Sharpeners’ and zero-proof drinks would also make for an excellent pre or post-dinner tipple.