Regent Street Food Quarter, 3-9 Heddon Street, London W1B 4BN
020 7592 1212, gordonramsay.com/heddon-street
The story
The Heddon Street Kitchen offers a modern European menu by head chef Maria Tampakis, formerly of Bread Street Kitchen and the three-Michelin starred Jean-Georges in NYC. Set in a beautiful and brooding space over two floors, this restaurant is a stylish mix of buttery leathers, machismo woods and shimmering steel.
The reality
This restaurant had a difficult birth with potential sabotage on its opening night – only 40 of 140 registered guests showed up – but happily you’ll now find a full house.
The restaurant claims that its food has "swagger" and that the open-kitchen design has "theatre". But I would argue that this handsome restaurant’s main attraction is actually its warmth and intelligence.
The menu is packed with delicious comfort food filled with thoughtful twists. The seating plan has a bias towards cosy booths and the service leaves you with a smile.
The damage
£174.25 for three people eating a big lunch, including service and a little drink. Ouch!
Signature dishes
Power breakfast with fluffy blueberry pancakes or a full English. Lunch on chicken with chimi-churri and thick, golden chips. Dine on stone bass with avocado purée or slow-roasted Dingley Dell pork belly with spiced apple sauce.
Dining experience ****
Heddon Street Kitchen is an ideal midweek lunch spot. It isn’t destination dining, but then it isn’t trying to be.
Chance of getting a last-minute booking ****
Often possible and no rush. How refreshing.
Client wow factor ****
It’s not going to blow their socks off but it is perfect for a slow afternoon with a good wingman. Just don’t let them get lost at the silly toilets.
Overall ****
Excellent comfort food, sociable atmosphere and Gordon Ramsay-like attention to detail.
Reviewed by Paul Middleton, PR manager, Ketchum
