Launceston Place

Launceston Place has a long-standing tradition of employing chefs whose stars are on the rise, so it’s no surprise that readers deem it “the perfect canvas for new incumbent Ben Murphy’s exquisite cooking”. The tastefully refreshed, muted grey dining rooms of this 1830s townhouse provide a suitable backdrop for the chef’s generous carte and tasting menus, which are more than a match for the setting – witness the humble carrot wondrously transformed with lovage and caraway, pristine brill with verjus and turnips, rosy ibérico presa alongside crisp confit potato and steamed aubergine or an intricate chocolate sphere pointed up with yuzu and sesame. Elsewhere, a luxe reinvention of ‘egg and soldiers’ and an irresistible celeriac ‘carbonara’ draped in silky lardo both tip a witty hat to the classics – yes, this is tasteful flavour-first stuff and a “treat for any gourmand”. A bargain set lunch makes the whole experience affordable, the cheese trolley is a show-stopper, and the broadly chosen but inclusively priced wine list suggests a real passion for the subject – note the “exceptionally daring” pairings. 

Launceston Place's ability to turn out stunning creations with apt pairings has gathered the modern European restaurant numerous awards, including Best Wine List in the Tatler restaurant awards. Chef patron Ben Murphy has himself garnered many impressive accolades himself, including Chef to Watch and Breakthrough Chef of the Year in the Good Food Guide and Food & Travel Awards respectively. Murphy joined Launceston Place from Woodford, having previously worked at multiple two and three Michelin-starred venues. His style has been described as distinctive and playful. 

The menus at Launceston place only show the core ingredients, leaving guests to wonder how they will be combined until the dishes arrive. Expect unusual combinations to excite the senses, such as celeriac with mint and pecorino, turbot with courgette, thyme and Vin Jaune or venison with shiitake mushroom, quince and pine. 

Visitors can choose to go a la carte or hand the reins over by opting for the tasting menu, which offers seven courses with optional wine pairings. Keeping with the times, Launceston Place also offers a vegetarian tasting menu, It would be a dishonour to describe Launceston Place without mentioning the truly artistic plating. Every single dish is arrives sculpted into a different form, from apple and mint housed in a delicate chocolate cage to an arrangement of venison, chocolate and beetroot reminiscent of Stonehenge. 

The award-winning 18-page wine list is truly something to behold. Grape enthusiasts will be transported all over the world, with the option to choose for themselves or have pairings carefully selected by the sommelier. Classic cocktails are on offer here, from Martinis to Old Fashioneds, as well as a cocktail of the month such as the Botanist High Street Sunset made with Botanist gin, Cointreau, peach juice and batak pepper. There is also a wide range of spirits  and liqueurs.