London


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-location-nbsp">THE LOCATION&nbsp;</h2>



<p>It was raining (eye roll) when Muddy visited, so we were extremely pleased that the InterContinental lies close to Hyde Park Corner tube station, meaning we arrived dry as toast thanks to the network of subways which chuck you out right by the hotel. Easy to reach and a glamorous address? We’re giving this London location 10/10. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-vibe-nbsp">THE VIBE&nbsp;</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="704" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/10/Theo-Randall-Main-Restaurant-hi-res-1024x704.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-5859" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/10/Theo-Randall-Main-Restaurant-hi-res-1024x704.jpg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/10/Theo-Randall-Main-Restaurant-hi-res-300x206.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/10/Theo-Randall-Main-Restaurant-hi-res-768x528.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/10/Theo-Randall-Main-Restaurant-hi-res.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<p>You’re in Mayfair so the vibe is classy rather than cool, and the decor&#8217;s suitably elegant: think banquets, wood tables and soft lighting. Hotel restaurants can sometimes be a bit bland, but Theo Randall’s excellent eaterie is more sexy than staid. Fellow diners included a group of friends, families and a scattering of couples, making&nbsp;it feel rather like a neighbourhood restaurant, which was unexpected. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-scoff-amp-quaff-nbsp">SCOFF &amp; QUAFF&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Enough about the decor and vibe, the real star of the show is the delicious food. Theo Randall’s been serving up Italian dishes here since 2006 and the restaurant has a loyal following (our brilliant waiter told us repeat diners are a big proportion of business). Recently the award-winning chef launched a new à la carte menu following extensive trips across Italy (sounds like a tough assignment) and we were invited to test it. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="768" height="1024" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/10/IMG-20240926-WA0004-768x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-5861" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/10/IMG-20240926-WA0004-768x1024.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/10/IMG-20240926-WA0004-225x300.jpg 225w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/10/IMG-20240926-WA0004-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/10/IMG-20240926-WA0004.jpg 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Mouth-watering calamari and burrata Antipasti</figcaption></figure>



<p>The verdict? Mouth-watering seasonal dishes with flavours that evoke memories of long lunches on sunny holidays in Italy. Muddy and friend Arti couldn’t decide between seven Antipasti plates, so our trusty waiter came to the rescue and recommended the burrata with vine tomatoes, grilled marinated butternut squash and walnut pesto, which turned out to be a rich, creamy globe of cheese which contrasted beautifully with the other ingredients. We also tucked into a divine dish of perfectly-cooked calamari with borlotti beans, chilli, anchovies, parsley, rocket and a squeeze of fresh lemon. Each mouthful an explosion of flavour and such a good size, it could have worked as a light main. </p>



<p>You’ll find you need to loosen your belt during a meal here because, in classic Italian style, there&#8217;s Primi and Secondi too. Not wanting to miss a course but filling up fast, my friend decided to order and share a gloopy, glorious risotto di funghi (girolle mushrooms, leeks, thyme and parmesan), though our waiter advised that the fresh pasta filled with slow cooked duck served with porcini and parmesan was getting rave reviews from customers.&nbsp;</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="768" height="1024" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/10/IMG-20240926-WA0021-768x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-5860" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/10/IMG-20240926-WA0021-768x1024.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/10/IMG-20240926-WA0021-225x300.jpg 225w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/10/IMG-20240926-WA0021-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/10/IMG-20240926-WA0021.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Pan-roasted sea bream</figcaption></figure>



<p>Next up, Pesce. The highlight was a pan-roasted sea bream on a bed of potatoes and fennel topped with sweet tomatoes, parsley and caper sauce. Roasted wild sea bass and organic salmon with tomatoes, capers, olives and zucchini were the other options, all ticking the boxes of a life-lengthening Mediterranean diet.&nbsp;</p>



<p>If we&#8217;d opted for Carne, the roasted guinea fowl filled with prosciutto di parma sounded sublime. Vegetarians don’t miss out on any of the gourmet delights either, with dishes like fresh goats cheese salad, baked cheese soufflé, minestrone and ravioli filled with sheep’s ricotta, pecorinos and mushrooms, dotted throughout the menu.&nbsp;</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="768" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/10/IMG-20240926-WA0016-1024x768.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-5862" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/10/IMG-20240926-WA0016-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/10/IMG-20240926-WA0016-300x225.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/10/IMG-20240926-WA0016-768x576.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/10/IMG-20240926-WA0016.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<p>We found it hard to decide on dishes all the way through the meal, and dessert was no exception. Unable to choose once again, our waiter (who should win employee of the year) came to our rescue and took the matters into his own hands and delivered to our table a plate bearing a selection of sweet treats. The slither of chocolate cake was sinfully good, the Amalfi lemon tart exquisite and the pretty pana cotta? As jiggly as Muddy’s tummy after all that food.&nbsp;</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="768" height="1024" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/10/IMG-20240926-WA0026-768x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-5863" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/10/IMG-20240926-WA0026-768x1024.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/10/IMG-20240926-WA0026-225x300.jpg 225w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/10/IMG-20240926-WA0026-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/10/IMG-20240926-WA0026.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /></figure>



<p>Let&#8217;s briefly talk about drinks. An extensive wine list concentrates on, you&#8217;ve guessed it, Italian vintages. We shared a bottle of Greco di Tufo from Campania, a juicy, fruity, ripe white which I&#8217;d highly recommend with seafood. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="768" height="1024" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/10/IMG-20240926-WA0009-768x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-5865" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/10/IMG-20240926-WA0009-768x1024.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/10/IMG-20240926-WA0009-225x300.jpg 225w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/10/IMG-20240926-WA0009-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/10/IMG-20240926-WA0009.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Glasses of limoncello to end the meal </figcaption></figure>



<p>To draw things to a close our new BFF waiter brought us a glass of chilled limoncello each, the traditional (and best) way to end a perfect Italian feast.  </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-out-amp-about-nbsp">OUT &amp; ABOUT&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Err, you&#8217;ve literally got the best of Central London on your doorstep. Hyde Park and Green Park are close by, and you&#8217;re a five-minute stroll from the shops of Knightsbridge, Bond Street and Mayfair. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-muddy-verdict-nbsp">THE MUDDY VERDICT&nbsp;</h2>



<p><strong>Good for:</strong> Meeting friends for a mid-week catch up in Central London, a weekend date night and anyone who LOVES Italian food. </p>



<p><strong>Not for: </strong>If you&#8217;re into the kind of London restaurant where no booking&#8217;s required, there&#8217;s a house DJ and sharing dishes are flame-grilled and served on pretty much anything other than plate (think a piece of slate, jam jar), then Theo Randall&#8217;s is probably a bit traditional for you. </p>



<p><strong>The damage: </strong>The Antipasti burrata was £19, calamari, £20, risotto, £20 and sea bream £31. Throw in a bottle of plonk for £57 and it&#8217;s around £147 for two. Which is very reasonable, for Mayfair. </p>



<p><em><a href="https://www.theorandall.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Theo Randall at the InterContinental</a>, One Hamilton Place, Park Lane, W1J 7QY. <strong>Quote code TR25 when booking for 25% off the à la carte menu, valid until 30 Nov.&nbsp;</strong></em></p>


Review: Theo Randall at the InterContinental, Mayfair

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