Michelin Star Restaurants in London - 2010
The Square reviews
A truly remarkable experience in this super-endowed, French-style London restaurant. I don't think you can eat that well for that price in Paris nowadays, though the wine list is probably 10% more expensive than in Paris. But here is at least a French restaurant with an open-minded approach. Do not hesitate to venture outside Bord. & Burg. when it comes to the wine list. Top marks to the sommelier for their top selection!
by benoit.faure, 28 Jan 2010
by benoit.faure, 28 Jan 2010
FANTASTIC. A great meal. We had the tasting menu for 4, one of which was the vegetarian tasting menu. As the veggie guest does not like mushrooms, they provided alternatives for almost every course. The halibut was wonderful, the beef tender to the point of melting. But the star course for all of us was the cheesecake dessert - beautiful.
by ER, 06 Dec 2009
by ER, 06 Dec 2009
We (my wife and I) dined at The Square the other night. In one word: perfect! Excellent food, wine and staff. Compliments.
by vlodorp, 26 Oct 2009
by vlodorp, 26 Oct 2009
Excellent wine, impeccable service, very attractive staff (sorry, but a huge bonus!) and the cheese was delectable. One of the best French restos in London.
by Milla "top london reviewer" (46 reviews), 19 Nov 2008
by Milla "top london reviewer" (46 reviews), 19 Nov 2008
Had luncheon at The Square. Service was attentive but not intrusive. Food was very good - but truthfully, in line with the price. I would have no hesitation to go again but would want to try others before that return.
by Martin Cox, 20 Sep 2008
by Martin Cox, 20 Sep 2008
It is an early Friday evening, just 6:30 p.m., and I get to the restaurant a few minutes before they are ready to seat guests.
A smiling blonde hostess offers a chair opposite the wooden bar, and brings me something to drink while I wait.
It is a modern yet soothing space, with a fresh spray of orchids and pussy willows reflected in the mirror. Cream colored faux-stone flooring inlaid with black marble is underfoot.
The dining room has perhaps twenty generously sized tables, nicely spaced apart. There is a dark herringbone wood floor, and the room will be fashionably noisy later on as well-heeled couples drift in to fill the space.
Recessed halogen lights provide light and leave a feeling of pristine space. They subtly set off cream colored side walls hung with abstract modern paintings, interspersed with dramatic framed beveled mirrors on the back wall.
Gilt silk curtains and sheer shades are by the windows. Decorated half screens cleverly block the sight of the cars passing by, while allowing a demure peek at the building across the street.
The heavy, floor length, gray, square pleated tablecloths are topped by white linen. Wooden upholstered armchairs are more comfortable than they look.
Pink rosebuds in a vase are discreetly placed on each table. The pepper grinder and salt shaker are polished silver. The 'charger' plate has a beautifully decorated modern design on it, flanked by Christofle silverware.
The serving staff is dressed formally in black, wearing ties, and they all seem to have french accents, which may be a prerequisite for a Michelin 2 star restaurant in town.
The sommelier shakes his head in polite dismay as I decline wine, and brings a bottle of Speyside Glenlivet still natural mineral water to the table.
Large rounds of both unsalted and salted butter are brought on glass teardrop shaped dishes. From among four types of warm freshly baked bread that are offered, I choose walnut-raisin (sweet enough to have at breakfast)and a sourdough baguette. Both are light in texture, a nice intimation of things to come.
An amuse bouche is brought, five cunningly shaped, delicious, light, just crunchy enough, morsels of intriguing flavors I cannot identify.
As usual, I am a finicky eater. I have called ahead and begged the Master Chef, Philip Howard, to indulge me. He graciously complies, and we agree on a tasting meal . Let the pleasure begin :)
Each course is brought on a silver platter, a lovely formal presentation of the goodness to follow.
(It is actually beyond good. Read on, and I must warn you that you will be drooling before you are through.)
The first course is white asparagus veloute with cauliflower.
The second course is Scottish smoked salmon offset by tiny potato rounds garnished with chives. The plainness of the potato is a perfect offset for the delicate saltiness of the fish.
The third course is large, fresh green asparagus tips, lightly garnished with Parmesan and watercress, and accompanied by a lightly poached egg cunningly set in a delicate pastry shell. The rich flavor of the egg is an excellent offset against the cool vegetable.
(At this point, I already want to marry the chef, but the waiter regretfully informs me that he already has a wife.)
The fourth course is a garden salad. A tiny, fresh mound of leek hearts, charlotte potatoes, swisschard, artichokes with pickled beetroot, microherbs and dandelion. I squeeze the juice of a half of a lemon over it, and am in heaven.
The fifth course is a single, large poached rock oyster holding in its shell a light curry veloute, coriander, mousseline, and a pomegranate, caper and raisin dressing.
The sixth course is hand rolled farfalle pasta with an emulsion of winter vegetables (cauliflower, onion and green beans) garnished with Parmesan in an amazingly delicious butter sauce.
Once again, the blend of flavors and textures are exquisite. I shamelessly use the rest of my baguette to soak up some of the sauce.
Someone approaches the table, and my hand tightens on my fork, ready to poke anyone who dares to touch the plate. Mine, I think, too delicious, unwilling to give up a single bite to an overly ready busboy. Instead, it is another party of three diners -their hands are safe :)
Steaming hot, fresh mint leaf tea arrives, leaves steeping in the now familiar glass pot. A light golden sugar is in a frosted glass bowl.
The first of a series of desserts is brought.
Vanilla yogurt like none I've ever had (no aftertaste) is layered in a shot glass with rhubarb compote and blood orange foam. Incredibly light, the sour mixes perfectly with the sweet. A donut hole, dusted lightly with cinnamon, again contrasts perfectly with the yogurt. Warm versus cool, airy versus creamy.
The there is the airiest of passion fruit souffles, dusted with powdered sugar. Lime ice cream brings just the right hint of tartness. A coconut dusted meringue adds a hint of texture to offset the light-as-air creaminess of the souffle
Incredibly, there is more, and another small plate is brought.
Chocolate covered orange sticks are the best I've ever tasted, with each flavor distinct and perfect. There are also tiny truffles of some sort, perhaps coffee.
I ask now for hot jasmine tea - it is also perfect. (I'm not overusing the word - it is accurate each and every time)
Then as a finale, 5 lollipops of fresh fruit gellee are served, orange, strawberry, apple, passion fruit and Turkish delight.
The bill comes, and for a meal this extraordinary, at 111 pounds inclusive of everything, it is very reasonable.
I ponder how soon I can return.
Loving Annie
by Loving Annie (7 reviews), 03 Apr 2008
A smiling blonde hostess offers a chair opposite the wooden bar, and brings me something to drink while I wait.
It is a modern yet soothing space, with a fresh spray of orchids and pussy willows reflected in the mirror. Cream colored faux-stone flooring inlaid with black marble is underfoot.
The dining room has perhaps twenty generously sized tables, nicely spaced apart. There is a dark herringbone wood floor, and the room will be fashionably noisy later on as well-heeled couples drift in to fill the space.
Recessed halogen lights provide light and leave a feeling of pristine space. They subtly set off cream colored side walls hung with abstract modern paintings, interspersed with dramatic framed beveled mirrors on the back wall.
Gilt silk curtains and sheer shades are by the windows. Decorated half screens cleverly block the sight of the cars passing by, while allowing a demure peek at the building across the street.
The heavy, floor length, gray, square pleated tablecloths are topped by white linen. Wooden upholstered armchairs are more comfortable than they look.
Pink rosebuds in a vase are discreetly placed on each table. The pepper grinder and salt shaker are polished silver. The 'charger' plate has a beautifully decorated modern design on it, flanked by Christofle silverware.
The serving staff is dressed formally in black, wearing ties, and they all seem to have french accents, which may be a prerequisite for a Michelin 2 star restaurant in town.
The sommelier shakes his head in polite dismay as I decline wine, and brings a bottle of Speyside Glenlivet still natural mineral water to the table.
Large rounds of both unsalted and salted butter are brought on glass teardrop shaped dishes. From among four types of warm freshly baked bread that are offered, I choose walnut-raisin (sweet enough to have at breakfast)and a sourdough baguette. Both are light in texture, a nice intimation of things to come.
An amuse bouche is brought, five cunningly shaped, delicious, light, just crunchy enough, morsels of intriguing flavors I cannot identify.
As usual, I am a finicky eater. I have called ahead and begged the Master Chef, Philip Howard, to indulge me. He graciously complies, and we agree on a tasting meal . Let the pleasure begin :)
Each course is brought on a silver platter, a lovely formal presentation of the goodness to follow.
(It is actually beyond good. Read on, and I must warn you that you will be drooling before you are through.)
The first course is white asparagus veloute with cauliflower.
The second course is Scottish smoked salmon offset by tiny potato rounds garnished with chives. The plainness of the potato is a perfect offset for the delicate saltiness of the fish.
The third course is large, fresh green asparagus tips, lightly garnished with Parmesan and watercress, and accompanied by a lightly poached egg cunningly set in a delicate pastry shell. The rich flavor of the egg is an excellent offset against the cool vegetable.
(At this point, I already want to marry the chef, but the waiter regretfully informs me that he already has a wife.)
The fourth course is a garden salad. A tiny, fresh mound of leek hearts, charlotte potatoes, swisschard, artichokes with pickled beetroot, microherbs and dandelion. I squeeze the juice of a half of a lemon over it, and am in heaven.
The fifth course is a single, large poached rock oyster holding in its shell a light curry veloute, coriander, mousseline, and a pomegranate, caper and raisin dressing.
The sixth course is hand rolled farfalle pasta with an emulsion of winter vegetables (cauliflower, onion and green beans) garnished with Parmesan in an amazingly delicious butter sauce.
Once again, the blend of flavors and textures are exquisite. I shamelessly use the rest of my baguette to soak up some of the sauce.
Someone approaches the table, and my hand tightens on my fork, ready to poke anyone who dares to touch the plate. Mine, I think, too delicious, unwilling to give up a single bite to an overly ready busboy. Instead, it is another party of three diners -their hands are safe :)
Steaming hot, fresh mint leaf tea arrives, leaves steeping in the now familiar glass pot. A light golden sugar is in a frosted glass bowl.
The first of a series of desserts is brought.
Vanilla yogurt like none I've ever had (no aftertaste) is layered in a shot glass with rhubarb compote and blood orange foam. Incredibly light, the sour mixes perfectly with the sweet. A donut hole, dusted lightly with cinnamon, again contrasts perfectly with the yogurt. Warm versus cool, airy versus creamy.
The there is the airiest of passion fruit souffles, dusted with powdered sugar. Lime ice cream brings just the right hint of tartness. A coconut dusted meringue adds a hint of texture to offset the light-as-air creaminess of the souffle
Incredibly, there is more, and another small plate is brought.
Chocolate covered orange sticks are the best I've ever tasted, with each flavor distinct and perfect. There are also tiny truffles of some sort, perhaps coffee.
I ask now for hot jasmine tea - it is also perfect. (I'm not overusing the word - it is accurate each and every time)
Then as a finale, 5 lollipops of fresh fruit gellee are served, orange, strawberry, apple, passion fruit and Turkish delight.
The bill comes, and for a meal this extraordinary, at 111 pounds inclusive of everything, it is very reasonable.
I ponder how soon I can return.
Loving Annie
by Loving Annie (7 reviews), 03 Apr 2008
I must have visited another restaurant tonight, comparing my experience against the reviewer's below! I took my parents and my partner to The Square to revisit a restaurant that they frequented some years before. Sadly, the experience was not a happy one.
Starters were decidedly average on the whole - langoustine (which was tasteless), foie Gois (very good), and a mushroom salad. For the main course I shared lamb with my partner, which we were presented with and which was then taken back to the kitchen to be carved. 15 minutes later the lamb arrived with the other main courses - both lamb courses were cold. I immediately called our waiter back, who said we would have to wait as his head waiter was dealing with a big problem! 5 minutes passed and eventually the head waiter came to our table. I told her that both our dishes were cold. She offered us another course but said it would be a further hour until it would be ready!! We declined. My parent's sea bass was apparently good but nothing out of the ordinary. We passed on dessert.
The bill arrived - £450 for a bottle of wine + 4 full meals, with no reduction for the main courses that we returned. The maitre 'd was called and I queried the bill. Here's the reply: "We offered to cook you another lamb, so it's your problem that you refused [by now it was 11.15pm]." They refused to give us any refund until I dug my heels in and refused to pay the bill. Eventually they removed the charges for the 2 main courses that we never had but - in French - called me a "f**king a**hole" and various other comments in the same vein. I speak perfect French and understood every word they said about me.
I have never had a more disappointing meal, nor have I ever experienced worse service than I experienced tonight. If you are looking to impress a business client, take them to Nobu or Sketch or Le Gavroche (a true 2-star restaurant). If you're looking to impress a partner, take them to Nobu or Locatelli's.
How this restaurant got 2 stars, I have no idea. A bad meal is excusable, but the way they treated us is totally unacceptable. I've had meals in the past at the very best restaurants in the world and occasionally something isn't quite right and there's never a question about it - either a reduction in the bill or an acceptable alternative is supplied.
by bigdog (2 reviews), 28 Mar 2008
Starters were decidedly average on the whole - langoustine (which was tasteless), foie Gois (very good), and a mushroom salad. For the main course I shared lamb with my partner, which we were presented with and which was then taken back to the kitchen to be carved. 15 minutes later the lamb arrived with the other main courses - both lamb courses were cold. I immediately called our waiter back, who said we would have to wait as his head waiter was dealing with a big problem! 5 minutes passed and eventually the head waiter came to our table. I told her that both our dishes were cold. She offered us another course but said it would be a further hour until it would be ready!! We declined. My parent's sea bass was apparently good but nothing out of the ordinary. We passed on dessert.
The bill arrived - £450 for a bottle of wine + 4 full meals, with no reduction for the main courses that we returned. The maitre 'd was called and I queried the bill. Here's the reply: "We offered to cook you another lamb, so it's your problem that you refused [by now it was 11.15pm]." They refused to give us any refund until I dug my heels in and refused to pay the bill. Eventually they removed the charges for the 2 main courses that we never had but - in French - called me a "f**king a**hole" and various other comments in the same vein. I speak perfect French and understood every word they said about me.
I have never had a more disappointing meal, nor have I ever experienced worse service than I experienced tonight. If you are looking to impress a business client, take them to Nobu or Sketch or Le Gavroche (a true 2-star restaurant). If you're looking to impress a partner, take them to Nobu or Locatelli's.
How this restaurant got 2 stars, I have no idea. A bad meal is excusable, but the way they treated us is totally unacceptable. I've had meals in the past at the very best restaurants in the world and occasionally something isn't quite right and there's never a question about it - either a reduction in the bill or an acceptable alternative is supplied.
by bigdog (2 reviews), 28 Mar 2008
The Square was our first 2-star Michelin restaurant. We went for the tasting menu with wines and it was just phenomenal. I wholeheartedly recommend the experience. A tip: share one order of wine and cheese between two people and the cost comes down a bit.
by baiji, 06 Mar 2008
by baiji, 06 Mar 2008
I'm a French wine waiter, and The Square is my favourite restaurant in London... in England, in fact!
by fernando51, 20 Jul 2007
by fernando51, 20 Jul 2007
Great restaurant. The best of modern French cuisine. Friendly service, right balance. Extensive wine list with some very good value choices. Very comfortable dining room with agreeable ambience. Fully deserves 2 rosettes.
by martinidoc (4 reviews), 14 May 2007
by martinidoc (4 reviews), 14 May 2007
Absolutely fabulous! Food was excellent, service was good and the atmosphere was great. Cheese-lovers, I certainly recommend having the cheese in place of dessert! Wow!Some real surprises in store for you.
by Anonymous, 27 Apr 2007
by Anonymous, 27 Apr 2007
Most definitely a restaurant to go to. The food was excellent, the room temperature was perfect, and the service was absolutely flawless. The wine list seems to go on forever; however, I guess if you are a wine connoisseur this would be heaven!
by 5slice, 20 Mar 2007
by 5slice, 20 Mar 2007
Amazing food, but go easy on the wine!Food at this Mayfair eatery is exceptional. The first course menu is to die for. I had trouble choosing but went for mousseline of smoked eel and horseradish. It was delightful - strong flavoured, and the mix of thin green bean and the delicate mousse worked well.
The main course menu I found less attractive but went for the roast saddle of hare with port glazed endive. Again this was exceptional - cooked to perfection, a strong gamey taste, the tarte fine of celeriac and pear that accompanied it was pleasant and not overpowering (it brought more out of the meat and took away nothing).
My only disappointment was my dessert:' Warm Vanilla Rice Pudding with Mandarin Jelly, Grapefruit Confit and Cranberry Juice' . It tasted like tinned ambrosia and crystallized lemon peel! It did not work for me - too bitter and without balance - a disappointing end that nearly took my score down to a 4. However, the level of service and attention to detail (e.g. refolding your napkin whilst you are away visiting the bathroom) made up for the disappointment of this final course.
The wine list is extensive and expensive - tread carefully. Our wine doubled the cost of this meal and incidentals like water and coffee also pushed up the cost considerably. But hey, you are in Mayfair, London in what I would class as an exceptional restaurant, so it is somewhat to be expected.
Overall: food and service - exceptional; ambience - refined; cost - I guarantee a little gasp when you get your bill.
by desb, 16 Jan 2006
The main course menu I found less attractive but went for the roast saddle of hare with port glazed endive. Again this was exceptional - cooked to perfection, a strong gamey taste, the tarte fine of celeriac and pear that accompanied it was pleasant and not overpowering (it brought more out of the meat and took away nothing).
My only disappointment was my dessert:' Warm Vanilla Rice Pudding with Mandarin Jelly, Grapefruit Confit and Cranberry Juice' . It tasted like tinned ambrosia and crystallized lemon peel! It did not work for me - too bitter and without balance - a disappointing end that nearly took my score down to a 4. However, the level of service and attention to detail (e.g. refolding your napkin whilst you are away visiting the bathroom) made up for the disappointment of this final course.
The wine list is extensive and expensive - tread carefully. Our wine doubled the cost of this meal and incidentals like water and coffee also pushed up the cost considerably. But hey, you are in Mayfair, London in what I would class as an exceptional restaurant, so it is somewhat to be expected.
Overall: food and service - exceptional; ambience - refined; cost - I guarantee a little gasp when you get your bill.
by desb, 16 Jan 2006
Seriously impressive cooking and service to match. I've eaten here twice and found it hard to fault - some of the best food I've had at any restaurant, anywhere. Looking forward to visiting again soon.
by anonymous howard (3 reviews), 17 Aug 2005
by anonymous howard (3 reviews), 17 Aug 2005
Simply the best - excellent food and immaculate service. Huge wine list. Go for dinner!
by ColBurns, 02 Jul 2005
by ColBurns, 02 Jul 2005
Hmm... They would not get two stars in France :) The menu is very good - I heartily recommend it - but the service is often somewhat erratic. It's a lovely restaurant, though.
by Anonymous, 20 Apr 2005
by Anonymous, 20 Apr 2005
Fantastic restaurant. One of my favourites. The food is perfect, not one mistake. I had basil lasagna of Cornish crab with frothy soup. Divine. The Maitre D was at my side the entire time with recommendations; he encouraged me to have the calves sweetbreads with crisp potato and savoy cabbage. He took the liberty of ordering it for me on the well done side as it was my first time. And for dessert the cheesecake with a terrine of citrus fruits (the tartness vs. richness was in perfect harmony). You can have a lunch menu for 30 pounds or a la carte for 60. Excellent value. Ok there were a lot of bald older men in suits as my fellow dinners but the Maitre D and the food made you blind to all that. Go for lunch!
by Suzan (6 reviews), 13 Feb 2005
by Suzan (6 reviews), 13 Feb 2005
Have we missed a great restaurant in London? Let us know.
