Lanes of London
140 Park Lane, London, W1K 7AA
Telephone: 020 7647 5664
After a tiring afternoon shopping on Oxford Street with my wife, I was more than ready to enjoy a relaxing evening in the hands of the friendly staff at Lanes of London. This stylish, yet casual restaurant, is located at the end of Park Lane, overlooking Marble Arch and Hyde Park, and is a perfect location for a post Oxford Street recharge.
Lanes of London is housed in a beautiful late Edwardian mansion block, and is part of the London Marriott Hotel Park Lane. As you enter through the bar area there is an air of sophistication about the place, with its decor of marble, aged brass, traditional leaded glazing and oak detailing. The atmosphere is both warm and welcoming, providing much needed calm from the busy streets outside. We relaxed with a cocktail in a snug and comfy booth whilst watching the world go by on Park Lane. The cocktail list is extensive; and they offer a range of classic cocktails as well as some creative options. The ones we chose were stylishly presented and delivered well on taste.
The menu is locally sourced British produce with a focus on rare-breed and seasonal ingredients. At the helm is the newly appointed executive chef, Emmanuel Garde. His menu changes seasonally, and is reasonably priced considering the Mayfair location.
Starters, ranging in price from £6 to £12, include Mackerel, Duck, Cut Meat and New Season Charred Asparagus. I opted for the Crab with beet sea, avocado and crispy filo. The portion was small, but delicious, and made for a nice appetiser to the main course. My wife savoured her Home Cured Salmon with watercress and pine nuts.
I often suffer from that common restaurant affliction known as ‘food envy’, so before choosing my main course I scouted the room to check out my fellow diners’ choices. With a selection including Burger, Steak, Cornish Lamb, Sea Bass and Vegetarian Options, ranging from £12-£20, I was very tempted by the look of the Lamb but decided to opt instead for one of the waiter’s recommendations; Roast Hake with clams and samphire barley. My wife had the Corn Fed chicken with cilantro pure´e and chorizo demi glace. Luckily ‘food envy’ was not an issue, apart from my wife’s double dipped sweet potato fries, which I was invited to ‘share’! The main courses were also accompanied by our chosen side orders of new season buttered vegetables, and the most delicious whipped potatoes I have eaten in a long time. All side orders are priced at £4.
At Lanes the drinks list is extensive; including boutique beers, an excellent choice of aforementioned cocktails, and a good selection of wines (from £22 a bottle). We opted for a bottle of white Italian ‘Gavi’ - dry and fresh, with a fruity and aromatic acidity, making it a good option to complement our chicken and fish main courses. The dessert menu is small (both physically - being printed on a postcard, and in its selection), but very appealing. On the waiter’s recommendation I went for the Eaton Moss (a deconstructed Eton Mess), and my wife devoured the Choc Torte, which she declared to be delicious. The Eaton Moss, with its meringue slithers, ice cream and fruit pure´e was unlike any other dessert I have had - I enjoyed the flavour and the creative spin. To be honest it was a difficult choice, as the Ginger Cake, Jammy Dodgers and Cheesecake (all £6) had been calling to me, but if chocolate is your thing, you cannot go wrong with the chocolate torte served with buttermilk ice cream.
The service here is friendly and laid back making it a cosy retreat. I hear that the Afternoon Tea is also very good, and a worthwhile consideration to squeeze into a busy day of shopping, or the perfect antidote to Winter Wonderland in nearby Hyde Park, as we approach the madness of the Christmas build up.