A vantage point overlooking the Royal Mews of Buckingham Palace is a suitably regal location for the jewel in Victoria’s crown, The English Grill – an elegant new brasserie-style restaurant which has officially opened its doors at The Rubens at the Palace hotel in central London.
Embracing the best of English tradition, design and flavours, the luxurious fine dining restaurant serves an exquisite menu designed around premium seasonal produce. Ingredients are locally sourced from the highest quality English suppliers, including meats from Aubrey Allen, Royal Warrant holder to Her Majesty The Queen.
In homage to The Rubens’ rich royal history and ties to traditional English society, The English Grill delivers warm and impeccable service from tailcoated waiters, including the theatre of a daily roast, which is expertly carved from a bespoke silver trolley at guests’ tables. These traditional English roasts, which change daily, include delicacies such as Beef Wellington served with creamed onions and Madeira jus; belly of slow roasted pork with crackling and apple sauce; and salmon en croute, locally sourced from Billingsgate Fish Market and served with creamed spinach and Champagne butter sauce.
Also on a daily rotation are The English Grill’s signature gourmet pies, which offer modern twists on retro classics, and include English favourites such as pork and apple, Shepherd’s and chicken pot pies – the latter made to a famed recipe which was perfected by Red Carnation Hotel Collection Founder and President, Mrs Bea Tollman.
The English Grill’s menu also features a selection of vegetarian and seafood dishes, as well as a spectacular 20oz Aubrey Allen Tomahawk Steak dish. A streamlined lunch menu is offered during the day, swiftly delivering the same exacting service and quality of food for the daytime dining set. The à la carte menu is accompanied by an extensive wine list including a fine selection from Bouchard Finlayson, The Rubens’ sister vineyard in South Africa.
The 28-strong team of chefs is led by Ben Kelliher who joins The English Grill from Butlers Restaurant at sister property, The Chesterfield Mayfair. During his decade-long tenure, Kelliher established Butlers as one of the finest dining venues in Mayfair and built its reputation for “the best Dover Sole in London”. Kelliher also brings across with him the outstanding talents of Pastry Chef Sarah Houghting who oversees the delicious range of desserts offered at The English Grill, including gourmet takes on English favourites such as Eton mess, crème brûlée and Bea Tollman’s baked vanilla cheesecake.
The quality of talent in the kitchen is complemented by the calibre of service in the dining room. The appointment of Head Maitre’d Paul Foxon, whose strong background in fine English service, following many years as Head Waiter at The Ritz Hotel in London, perfectly enhances the warmth of hospitality for which The Rubens at the Palace is famed.
As part of a five year, multi-million pound refurbishment of the whole Rubens hotel, The English Grill combines polished silver, luxurious fabrics and beautiful chandeliers for a feeling of grandeur and elegance. The addition of intimate leather booths framing the windows of the restaurant give the sense of dining in a private members’ club. The hotel’s regally refurbished Cavalry Bar provides a welcoming environment in which to enjoy pre-dinner cocktails, or to extend the evening with a digestif while enjoying the live music offered nightly.
The kitchen serving The English Grill has also been fully refurbished, and the addition of a glass wall allows guests to enjoy the action taking place therein. Top quality cuts of locally-sourced English meat are grilled to perfection in the kitchen’s charcoal-fired oven, the Josper, which reaches temperatures of 500°C and imparts a subtle smoky flavour to the meats, ensuring none of the natural flavours and moisture are lost in the cooking process.
Malcolm Hendry, General Manager of The Rubens at the Palace, said: “With the loving restoration of this historic property now complete, The Rubens has simply never looked better. We are very proud to launch The English Grill at a time when Victoria and the Nova complex are firmly establishing themselves as dining destinations in their own rights. This amazing new restaurant offers guests even more choice, bringing unrivalled glamour and the elegance of traditional English fine dining to the area.”
The English Grill restaurant is now open to residents and visitors alike for lunch and dinner daily. Find The English Grill at 39 Buckingham Palace Road, London, SW1W 0PS. To make a reservation please call +44 (0)20 7834 6600 or book a table online at www.rubenshotel.com.
