St Alban

Address:	Rex House, 4-12 Regent Street SW1Y 4PE
Tel	020 7499 8558
Website:	Visit St Alban website
Price: £50.00	Wine: £15.50	Champagne: £43.00
Opening Hours:	Mon-Sun 12N-3pm 5.30pm-12M (Sun -11pm)

Square Meal review of St Alban:

Christopher Corbin & Jeremy King launched St Alban in late 2006 & many hoped for a duplicate of their other restaurant, The Wolseley. But, in contrast to its sibling’s glamorous surrounds, St Alban looks more like a business-class airport lounge with bright, felt-fabric seating & murals of household objects lining otherwise grey walls. Despite a mixed reaction to the decor, the consistently well-executed food, which is inspired by the flavours of Italy, Spain & Portugal, has been more warmly received. A starter of dressed Cornish crab served with crushed avocado is brought to life with the feisty addition of finely chopped red chillis, while steamed sea bass with roasted shallots & aged balsamic sees perfectly timed fish enhanced by its sweet-tinged accompaniments, & suckling pig boasts perfect crackling. Among desserts, the moist amaretti tart made zingy with rhubarb sorbet is highly recommended. Further pluses include the delightful bread selection & slick, if somewhat ‘superior’, service.

Wine List: By staying faithful to the regions that have inspired its menu, St Alban has come up with an exceptional list. Spain, Italy & Portugal are the highlights, although the page of French wines does not disappoint. There is masses of scope under £30 & over 30 wines & sherries by the glass enable close wine & food matches. Best Buy White 2005 Valle Pradinhos Branco, Douro, Trás-os-Montes, Portugal, £32. Best Buy Red 2004 Pittacum Bierzo, Castilla y León, Spain, £29.50.

St Alban Location: