Wiltons

I was fortunate enough to dine (alone) in this wonderful restaurant just two weeks ago. From entering the restaurant each moment was a sublime pleasure.
The restaurant itself has an ‘old boy’ charm, quiet discreet with wonderful art works and ambience.

The hosts selected the perfect table for me, where I could relax,and enjoy this gastronomic feast. The ambiance was quiet and relaxing, no blaring phones tv or music. From the first sip of champagne I was enchanted.

The staff knew their menu and could advise me on each dish, together with what wine would most enhance it. I chose a crisp fresh goat cheese salad, followed but pâté de foi gras. Both were delicious, fresh and light with pure clean quite sensual taste.

The silver service is becoming a lost art throughout Europe, and it was a pleasure to be served in such a manner. Oysters were the speciality of the night, and judging by the amount that I saw heading into the dining area they were very popular.

Sea bass was my main course, this too was beautifully presented, and tasted wonderfully fresh and perfectly cooked.

The dessert menu was terribly hard to choose from, everything sounded like my next favorite dessert, but on advice of the waiter I choose the crumble, and I wasn't disappointed. Heaven on a spoon.

What I loved most was that although alone, I wasn't rushed, or made to feel awkward. A woman dining alone can be a lonely experience, but the staff made me feel welcome, comfortable, and at ease. I was there for the evening, with each course spaced at my timing which I really appreciated. The time between courses allowed me to savor both the wine and the decor.
I have to say this has been the best dining experience I've had. I'm a chef, and very hard to please, well done all of you at Wilton's. I hope I can come back again soon.

Wilton's is part museum, part restaurant. Don't get me wrong: I mean this in the nicest possible way. It is extremely expensive by “today's standards”, but so is a Rolls Royce. What Wilton's offers is a journey to a time gone by: the St. James's of the 1920s. The interior is reminiscent of the great Clubs of the vincinity. The food is two-star Michelin standard and there is a definite whiff of the “stiff upper lipp” about. But it is quintessentially “London” and very pleasant indeed.

The best thing about Wiltons is the Renoir that dominates the back wall of the restaurant. It feels more like a club than a restaurant, the furniture is old, the decor is old, the guests are…The food is the kind you hope you will be served when you are teeth have lost there cutting edge, your eye sight is failing and you are likely to be confused by odd shaped things presented in an unfamiliar way on the plate. Can't knock the quality of the ingredients, the salmon- from Foremans- was very good, the pork was splendid and the broad beens very good indeed. Good for any relative over the age of 70 bad for anyone looking for something exciting or some signs of life.

Wiltons looks and feels very establishment. The décor is clubby and old world and service attentive. Pricing is a bit of a shock at c£20 for many starters and £22 to nearly £40 for mains. The food was good but unspectacular and my view is that time has overtaken this old-school favourite. There are many more stylish places with more creative food at better prices around.

This really is an “establishment” restaurant. I'm sure I should have recognised some of the people in there too. However, whilst the ingredients are obviously of an extremely high standard, the presentation is a bit lacking, especially given the price. The potted shrimp for a starter looked deceptively small, but they really had packed the prawns into it. The crabcake for a main course was lovely, but at £24 I would have expected to have something else on the plate apart from just a crabcake, instead of having to pay for additional sides. My glass of wine was forgotten about too, even though they apologised profusely for it and realised before presenting us with a bill with it listed.

All in all, I can say I've been to one of the oldest restaurants in London, but probably won't be rushing back. Would be an ideal place to send business visitors too if they've never been to London though (and on an expense account!).