Mews of Mayfair Lounge Bar

I like this little bar so it breaks my heart to write this but come here for cocktails and dancing, not the food. As we were a group and our leader had already negotiated a semi-set menu with Mews which got us off the hook of the usual minimum spend thresholds, it is difficult to know what it might have been like had we been the normal restaurant-goer. But a restaurant shouldn't take your booking if they don't think they can do it justice so here goes… The starters were an odd mix: a plate of hams, some hummous, calamari, a cheeseboard and some edamame. Now, perhaps our leader had agreed to these (and don't get me wrong, I love edamame) but what is a Japanese bean doing on this Brit menu anyway?! Mains were the real issue. Having been asked how we would like our food cooked it was a bit disappointing that, when the steak sarnies were delivered to the table and we asked how they were cooked, the waitress could only say, with a gormless blank face, “vegetarian sandwich anyone?”. Hm, the answer should be a variation on “rare”, “medium” or “well-done”. Do not ask customers how it they want it cooked if you are not going to do it that way. Unsurprisingly it wasn't good and it is difficult to decide which was more dismal: the greyish, tasteless, as it turns out well-done, tepid sliver of steak, with its 2 slices of cucumber on top, or the bread between which it was served, which tasted as if it had been toasted 2 weeks ago, put in the freezer, and then reheated. It was a sorry sight too, all lonely on its plate, but perhaps the chef didn't want to embarrass himself further with a garnish or accompaniment. On the upside, the bar is quirky and cool and it's in a great location in a cute, tucked away, courtyard near Bond Street. Cocktails are good, although service can be a little slow, and the DJ effortlessly weaves together everything from Run DMC and Rihanna to Arrested Development and Black Eyed Peas. So, a great place for an early evening drink or a night of dancing but if you want quality food look elsewhere. I would hope the next door restaurant Mews tries harder on that front.

Mews of Mayfair is the perfect place to go for a cocktail if its the sunny and you can secure a table outside in the delightfully quiet and tucked away Lancashire Court. I love this area alone as you would never know you are so near the hustle and bustle. I usually come here on those rare balmy summers evenings we have and devour an ‘English Summer Garden’ which is just delicious. I have also had lunch here on occasion and found the food to be delicious, they do some lovely salads and fish dishes. A great place to come in the summer to feel like you aren't in London at all!

There's no doubt that Mews is in a great location; tucked away in Lancashire Court, it’s in a very attractive setting and feels far removed from the tourists and frenzy of Oxford Street. We visited the ground floor bar last Saturday, pleasantly busy for a late afternoon, a mix of young couples and larger groups. It’s quite small and most of the larger seating areas were reserved but we found some seats and were served promptly. There's a good range of drinks and the prices are pretty average for this part of town; the cocktails are creative and there’s a reasonable list of wine. While we couldn't fault the drinks, service or ambience, the bar does look a little tired (in the light of day) and could be a little smarter considering the prices they are charging. However, it's a good place to escape in if the area.