You’ll find the Holmes Hotel London a short walk from Baker Street station but while the hotel takes some inspiration from Sherlock Holmes, it isn’t a tacky tribute act. In fact, the only evidence we could see of the famous detective in the in-house restaurant was a few deerstalker hats by the entrance and a cocktail named after him. Other than that, the dining room is a chic mix of marble-splashed tables, comfy padded seating and a partially open kitchen tucked away in the corner of the room.
The menu is as stylish as the interiors, with fashionable breakfast options including avocado and poached eggs on toasted sourdough, or French toast topped with berries and lashings of maple syrup. Later in the day, you’ll find a globally inspired menu replete with à la mode dishes such as aubergine tempura and shakshuka.
Luxe ingredients are put to good use, with the quality of the produce allowed to shine. Just take the blushing pink slices of succulent Wagyu steak which made for a delicious main course, especially when paired with a portion of golden and crispy ‘proper’ chips.
For dessert, we were impressed by a refreshing bowl of mango sorbet, topped with a snow globe of white chocolate dusted with coconut, which cracked open to reveal a passionfruit filling – a touch of theatre that will awaken any diner’s inner child. For actual children, Kitchen has a dedicated kids’ menu.
Not all of the food is handled so well, however. Our starter of Scottish Black Angus beef carpaccio, foie gras and truffle was a pile up of high-end ingredients that should have created an explosion of richness, but tasted bland and forgettable.
Friendly, efficient service is a plus, while the expansive drinks list covers wines from across the globe, as well as fun cocktails such as a fruity sip poured from a teapot at the table. Dining at Kitchen at Holmes doesn’t come cheap, but prices are on a par with other Marylebone hotel dining rooms, while should you need a lie down after all of that indulgent food, there are 118 rooms to choose from.