Although originally constructed in 1921 as a showroom for Wolseley Motors Limited car company and then occupied by Barclay’s Bank for more than half a century, today The Wolseley restaurant is the product of Old English charm met with the stylish Piccadilly swagger of the contemporary London dining scene.
The Wolseley opened in 2003 after reconstruction that was brought on by the work of restaurant extraordinaire Chris Corbin and Jeremy King, and overseen by the artful eyes of David Collins Architects. Set in a Venetian styled building, the ambiance at The Wolseley is grandiose chic, with large chandeliers, striking pillars and archways and classy décor of black lacquered Japanese-styled furnishings. The wait staff is set to match the subdued glamour of the establishment and an intimate grouping of tables set in a horseshoe shape is the prime seating area to experience.
As far as the food is concerned, The Wolseley offers up dishes in British and European traditions, set off with a contemporary flair. The restaurant is a haunt for the London elite at all times of day due to its flexible hours: 7am-midnight. With a menu every bit as impressive as the ambiance, it’s imperative to make a reservation before visiting the Wolseley.
Menu choices are lengthy, being that this is an all day-until-late-night establishment. Morning goers have the option to start the day with traditional breakfast dishes like The Wolseley’s famous Eggs Benedict, or move into more exotic territory with the caviar omelet or duck eggs and haggis. There’s a wide selection of pastries, croissants, bagels, fruit salads and coffee available on the breakfast menu. The Wolseley offers breakfast from 7am-11:30am; however, there are some egg dishes available on the All Day menu, namely the Eggs Benedict and omelets.
Dinner truly is the best time to savor the flavor at The Wolseley. There are a gamut of choices from exotic salads to shellfish cocktails and oyster selections, to starters, different varieties of caviar, entrees, desserts and more.
A great appetizer to start with is the Leek & Parmesan Tart, a zesty treat that blends a traditional staple of British cuisine with a savory cheese selection. Also notable is the Foie Gras & Chicken Parfait that just glides onto the taste buds with buttery delight and is accompanied by a symphony of breads.
The Wolseley’s entrée selection is enticing as well with selections such as the Grilled Calf’s Liver with Pancetta and Sage — a truly delectable combinations. Another gem on the main entrée list is the Double Lamb Chops with Bubble and Squeak. The meat is so tender it just falls off the bone. There are many seafood entrees from which to choose, however, the real standout is The Wolseley Fish Stew. Seasoned just right, the stew infuses a great combination of sea delights to entice the palette.
Keeping in step with the caliber of the restaurant overall, the wine list at the Wolseley is also sumptuous. Guests can choose from a selection of 22 white wines, 23 reds, six dessert wines and 12 champagnes.
For a sweet end to your meal, the dessert list features most of the regular fare such as cheesecake, apple strudel, crème brulee, and a creamy selection of ice creams.
thewolseley.com
