Dovetale at 1 Hotel Mayfair

Set within 1 Hotel Mayfair, Dovetale is the new restaurant from two Michelin-starred chef Tom Sellers, which has been created with the environment in mind from ingredients through to decor. Think seasonal produce, living walls, and a plethora of plants.

We kick things off with a Wagyu carpaccio that comes adorned with hot mustard, chives and Parmesan, and a pot of mind-blowingly good beef fat chips alongside. We’re advised to wrap the beef around the chip for the perfect mouthful, evoking memories of every great burger we’ve ever eaten. Whilst each element is delicious on its own, together they create something that can only be described as a religious experience.

For mains, the truffle agnolotti arrives as a fairly rustic portion of pasta - doused in roast potato butter sauce with flecks of truffle, it’s a vision of beige, and tastes just as decadent as you’d imagine.

Desserts can often be the final hurdle where most meals fall, where substance is overshadowed by style and you’re left wishing you’d called it a day at mains. But at Dovetale they’ve managed to get the perfect balance between the two, as nostalgic knickerbocker glories take pride of place on the menu, and a vintage ice cream cart sits on the sideline as you choose various flavours of ice cream, sauce and toppings. The presentation is charmingly authentic, and the flavours are well executed, with the mint ice cream bringing a more delicate flavour than expected through the use of fresh herbs.

To drink, we follow recommendations from sommelier Tara Ozols, who seems to have a natural ability for making fine wine feel remarkably less pretentious. Working through various glasses of English fizz and white wines, it’s clear to see that we’re in good hands here.

For a restaurant that offers such a glamorous escape from city life, it still manages to remain refreshingly accessible, and has great potential to be one of the next major hotel restaurants in the capital.

Dovetale is the flagship modern British restaurant at 1 Hotel Mayfair, overseen by two Michelin-starred Restaurant Story chef Tom Sellers.

Sustainability and seasonality are at the core of 1 Hotel Mayfair's ethos, with a plethora of nature-inspired finishes showcasing its commitment to eco-friendly practices. Situated (not by chance) facing Green Park, the venue's spaces, including signature restaurant Dovetale, are carefully crafted with an environmentally friendly approach. The hotel features living walls, which are irrigated by rainwater, sustainable materials used all across the building, and over 1,300 plants, trees and shrubs plants across the grounds. 

Sellers works meticulously to embrace zero waste methods and source from eco-minded suppliers at Dovetale, too. There are a wide spectrum of menus on offer, from lunch and dinner a la cartes to breakfast, brunch and a plant-based offering. 

Dishes are broadly modern European and cooked over an open grill, always with a prevailing focus on letting outstanding produce shine. Dishes like 'Made this morning' burrata with pickled pear and hazelnut pesto make that point perfectly. Discover dedicated sections for breads, starters, salads and pasta, plus dishes derived from land and sea. Highlights include BBQ Cornish monkfish with red pepper and grilled brassicas, Lake District rib-eye 'au poivre', and larger sharing dishes, including salt baked Cornish sea bass. 

There are also tributes to old-school puddings in the dessert menu as well, as guests can choose from options including a Grand Marnier souffle with tonka bean creme anglaise, and a Knickerbocker glory, served tableside from a trolley for a bit of extra entertainment and theatre. 

If you fancy al fresco dining, there's Dovetale's outdoor terrace, which features a cosy copper fireplace and pergola, a perfect spot for all seasons. And for an even more special occasion, there's a private dining room available.

The hotel also has a cocktail bar - the Dover Yard - perfect for pre- or post-dinner drinks.