If Kew Gardens and Buckingham Palace had a love child, it might look a little something like the Winter Garden restaurant at The Landmark London Hotel. Boasting a high glass roof that dwarfs even the majestic palm trees here, the dining area of this five-star Marylebone hotel will quite literally stop you in your tracks. The Landmark London Hotel welcomes hotels and non guests alike to dine in their unique fine dining restaurant, which serves up modern British dishes for special occasions.
Dinner at the Winter Garden
As you step into the glass-roofed atrium, it won’t just be the sight of dozens of giant palm trees, extraordinary plants and tropical flowers that’ll have you in awe. The soundtrack to your evening comes courtesy of a live pianist, who takes their seat just in front of the entrance to the dining area. You’ll dine from the three-course set menu, or a la carte options – we opted for the latter.
The selection of appetisers at The Landmark London Winter Garden all appear to carefully balance flavours of savoury and natural sweetness; we tried the seared hand-dived scallops, served with Chantenay carrot puree, pancetta and lemongrass sauce, and we were not disappointed. Not only did the sauces compliment each other perfectly, but the scallops were seared so beautifully – soft ‘meat’, yet slightly firm on top – and the pancetta added a nice variation of texture with its crispiness.
Our main dishes were just as impressive. The skin of the seabass was perfectly crisped and salty, yet the fish itself super soft, and the cauliflower and runner beans were packed full of flavour. The red wine sauce, like the starters, added that satisfying mix of sweetness to the savoury dish. Alternatively, if you prefer red meat, the steaks at the Winter Garden are a fabulous choice: they were juicy and tender. Unlike some fine dining restaurants, the portions here were generous, especially when paired with deliciously moreish fries. There is a large selection of wine available at The Landmark London Hotel, so whether you go for a white wine with fish or red vino with steak (or, you know, just fancy a rose), there’s plenty to choose from. The friendly staff can recommend pairings.
Now, in all courses, the presentation was impeccable; however, the desserts were truly showstoppers. Not only did they taste fantastic, but each was a mini work of art. We opted for the white chocolate cheesecake, served with gingerbread and redcurrent sorbet (which gave California beachy vibes in its presentation), and the tart/sweet combo of the Valrhona chocolate and hazelnut tart, served with candied lemon and bourbon Chantilly cream.
Breakfast at the Winter Garden
Overlooking the Winter Garden are some of the hotel’s luxurious rooms, and if you opt to stay for the night, you’ll not only be in for a fantastic night’s sleep within the incredibly soft sheets, but you’ll be able to enjoy breakfast at the hotel. Reserved for guests only, there is an elite buffet spread of pastries, cereals, yoghurts, meats and toasts, plus a selection of hot a la carte options – and you can have both. Oh, we indulged. As you take your seat for brekkie, gone are the white table clothes of the night before, and instead, you’ll find an afternoon tea-style stand of jams. If honey is more your thing, make your way over to the actual slice of honeycomb at the buffet. Tea, coffee and orange juice are served by the staff, and there is a selection of other juices on ice at the buffet too.
For our hot breakfast, we opted for poached egg and avocado on toast. Hands down, this is one of the best poached eggs I’ve had. The yolk is stark orange and runny, but the white is firm, with none of those icky watery or runny bits. Chef’s kiss!
Elsewhere at The Landmark London Hotel
Aside from sleeping in their gorgeous rooms, and eating at the Winter Garden, there’s plenty else to do at The Landmark London Hotel. If you simply wish to explore the building, we wouldn’t blame you: the hotel has been around for over 120 years as one of London’s grand Victorian-era railway hotels (it sits right opposite Marylebone Station) and boasts a lot of old features, like the bells at the lifts. There are three other dining spots – The Great Central Bar, The Mirror Bar, and Garden Terrace – and a very indulgent High Palms High Tea, served in our fave Winter Garden. Along the atrium level, you’ll find some shops, and down in the basement, an oasis of calm awaits at the spa. Whether you fancy a treatment, or just want to make use of the facilities, it is up to you. During the week, the pool, private gym, steam rooms, jacuzzi and sanarium are pretty quiet, ideal for escaping the city buzz.
Overall, it’s safe to say, you’re in for an absolute treat at The Landmark London Hotel, whether you’re visiting for a meal or staying overnight for the full experience. Prices are to be expected for a five-star experience, but if you’ve got a special occasion coming up, then we can’t think of somewhere fancier to enjoy than here.