S.Pellegrino goes hand in hand with fine dining and London boasts a top restaurant for every occasion. Welcome to S.Pellegrino’s Perfect Ten
When it comes to fine dining, S.Pellegrino knows good taste. The natural sparkling mineral water’s unique flavour profile makes it a perfect partner for food and the name has become synonymous with fine dining – S.Pellegrino, along with its still water counterpart Acqua Panna, are the title sponsors of the prestigious World’s 50 Best Restaurants awards, a global poll of top industry experts to find the best restaurants in the world.
The water comes from a thermal spring in the Italian Alps – San Pellegrino Terme – a spot visited by Leonardo da Vinci in 1503 and popular with 19th-century European gentry. Rainwater filters through sedimentary rock, picking up magnesium and calcium as it goes. These minerals, paired with S.Pellegrino’s fine bubbles, work to enhance the flavours of fine food, giving a lasting taste sensation on the palate.
S.Pellegrino is best paired with medium- to full-bodied wines that are well-structured, complex and lasting. Try it with rich reds, full-bodied whites and aperitif wines. When it comes to food, intense, powerfully flavoured dishes match brilliantly with the complex minerality of S.Pellegrino. This is a water that loves rich food such as beef or mature cheese – in fact, it’s the perfect partner. And so to help you find your perfect restaurant match, S.Pellegrino has come up with the Perfect Ten: 10 top restaurants for 10 unforgettable moments.
Best for romance: Hélène Darroze at The Connaught (above)
If The Connaught is a fairytale Mayfair destination, Hélène Darroze is the fairy godmother and sparkle comes in the form of two Michelin stars. Impeccably sourced, adventurous French cuisine, a French-accented wine list and discreet service add to the romantic vibe.
Best for chef’s table: Dinner by Heston Blumenthal
Blumenthal continues to capture the hearts and minds of curious foodies everywhere and there’s no better place to see the magic – and the science – unfold than at this chef’s table. Dinner, headed up by executive chef Ashley Palmer-Watts, offers an inspired look at Britain’s culinary past, with artful use of futuristic ideas and equipment to bring Dinner into the 21st century.
Best for luxury: Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester (above)
If the luxurious surrounds of The Dorchester aren’t enough, you can marvel at super chef Alain Ducasse’s three Michelin stars. Elegantly crafted and impeccably refined French cuisine coupled with first-class service makes Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester a top spot for luxury.
Best for dining with a view: Galvin at Windows (above)
In a city that keeps growing up, the established rooms with a view are hard to beat and Galvin at Windows has been serving up breathtaking views of the capital since 2006. On the 28th floor of the Hilton, head chef Joo Won brings the setting to life with modern European cuisine.
Best for celebrations: Cecconi’s
A classic Mayfair haunt with an army of adoring fans, Cecconi does big-city dining in style and its effortless glamour and gorgeous green dining room makes it a top spot for a good time. The all-day menu is a celebration of Italy and Cecconi’s pasta wins high praise indeed.
Best for alfresco: The Gun (above)
This Docklands gastropub from Tom and Ed Martin has it all: accomplished cooking, a great atmosphere, attentive service and a huge alfresco area, right on the banks of the Thames.
Best for contemporary chic: Piccolino’s
An oasis of calm away from the Regent Street crowds, Piccolino’s has recently undergone a stylish facelift – and it even picked up a Restaurant and Bar Design Award in 2013. Finish your night in the restaurant’s very own basement bar, Cicchetti, or dine alfresco on Heddon Street.
Best for celebrity style: Chiltern Firehouse (above)
Kylie Minogue, Kate Moss and Lindsey Lohan are among the big-name diners at this relatively new Chiltern Street hangout. Chef Nuno Mendes – of Viajante fame – is at the helm, and while the food has won great praise, celebrity spotting is an exciting distraction.
Best for experiential dining: Circus
The clue is in the name: enjoy pan-Asian dishes, including a neat sharing menu, while circus and cabaret acts perform around you – or pull up a seat at the large quartz-clad table, which handily doubles as a stage. The cocktails are top at this spot, too.
Best for Italian: The River Cafe (above)
This West London institution takes great pride in the meticulous sourcing of its ingredients and the wood-fired oven remains at the heart of the restaurant. Honest dishes with rustic overtones and attention to the seasons mean The River Café is permanently bustling.