Situated in one of the most upmarket streets in London, 140 Park Lane takes its name from its address for just that reason – it serves elegant food, but with a more informal atmosphere than you’d expect.

The Venue
140 Park Lane has tried to establish itself as separate from the Marriot hotel it’s located in by making the restaurant cosier and simpler, which clashes with the modern and chic feel of the hotel. The furniture is unexciting and a bit dated, but the lines are clean and create a relaxing atmosphere. A visible kitchen is a nice touch but one that doesn’t make sense in a mostly traditional looking place. The colours of red, cream and wood are clearly well thought out, but add no warmth to the restaurant. The tables are well spread out to give the customers privacy and the soft lighting sets a soothing mood.

The Atmosphere
With a view of the busy streets of London, it’s lovely to feel separate in a haven from the bustling streets, which is evident by the many City people who have ventured inside. It’s a small place, so when it’s full it never becomes too lively - making it an ideal place for a secluded meal, but not for a vibrant atmosphere. There’s a mixed crowd, all of whom are informally dressed, creating a welcome change to the often stuffy dress code of expensive London restaurants. The excellent service adds to the pleasing dining experience, as the waiters were attentive but avoid hovering.

The Food
140 Park Lane serves modern British food, and the menu consists of some staples of British cuisine and also some original, interesting dishes for those more adventurous. Starters and desserts start from £7.50, whilst mains range from £13.50 to £23. To start, the elegantly presented foie gras and chicken liver parfait is velvet-smooth, with a subtle creamy flavour that is exquisite. However, the restaurant’s take on a simple chicken Caesar salads is hit and miss; the quality of the ingredients is extremely good, but the dressing is too tart to be appealing.

The main of slow-cooked pork belly is flawlessly cooked, creating the desired melting texture of the meat with a wonderful rich sauce complementing it well. The salmon tournedos is light and moist but unfortunately the accompanying fennel and artichoke ravioli overpowers the delicate salmon flavour.

The desserts are presented beautifully, making each item on the plate look utterly delectable. The chocolate fondant is satisfyingly gooey in the middle and the ginger ice cream adds a refreshing note that brings out the richness of the bitter chocolate. The warm apple tart is also delicious but a little soggy due to the ice cream melting on top.

The Drink
The wine is a little different than the typical list, with light white Riojas that are perfect for fish and heady Chardonnays that can contend with strong red meat. The prices start at £16 a bottle and increase exponentially up to £88, but there is a wide range to suit all tastes and budgets. There’s also a huge cocktail menu with some gorgeous fruity drinks like Indian Summer Champagne cocktail which bursts with mango and passion fruit flavours. They also have a signature cocktail, the Bruised Apple, which is definitely worth a try.

The Last Word
140 Park Lane is perfect for an intimate evening with mostly excellent food, but lacks the unique decor it needs to make it truly special.

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