The Goring is one of the oldest privately owned family hotels and was the favourite of HM Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother, a bust of whom stands in the foyer. Its Dining Room has to be one of the most elegant in London.

The Venue
You would have to put The Dining Room at The Goring at the luxury end of the market, although the prices are not as expensive as some other famous London hotel restaurants. It is good for breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea or dinner if you are trying to impress, and the convenient location is very close by Victoria station.

The Atmosphere
The traditional-looking hotel lobby may appear rather formal and the uniformed staff intimidating at first glance, but in fact The Dining Room at The Goring is actually quite laid back, although it seriously looks after its guests with both efficiency and a friendly welcome. The Dining Room in its newly-refurbished appearance is quite stunning. Designed by David Linley, it is comfortable and spacious so you are not sitting on top of other diners. The stunning blossom chandeliers by Swarovski Crystal are lowered during the evening to make the atmosphere more intimate.

The Food
This is British cooking at its traditional best with an emphasis on game especially during November, the time of the hotel’s annual game festival. Check in for lunch and you are likely to find such starter dishes as jellied Gloucester eel with parsley vinegar, roasted marrow bone with breadcrumbs, parsley and toasted onion bread, or terrine of Norfolk duck confit with marinated beetroot. Main courses offer poached Scottish smoked haddock, steamed fillet of Cornish sea bass, roast fillet of Dorset plaice, noisettes of Devonshire lamb, breast of Norfolk duck or boiled York gammon knuckle. For dinner there is always a dish served from the trolley which could be a roast or Beef Wellington with a red wine sauce.

A favourite and famous starter here is the glazed Scottish lobster omelette, a mouth-watering blend of the eggs with choice pieces of the seafood that make a divine combination. Follow this with the classic steak and kidney pudding (or pie) and you will have tasted some of the tenderest beef and offal captured within an unctuous crust that melts in the mouth, accompanied by a deeply intense gravy: beautiful food indeed. If you have any space left, try the British cheeses or a traditional pudding. The lavender panna cotta, the Valrhona bitter chocolate and cherry torte or the Knickerbocker glory are all recommendable, but the one to go for is the Goring summer pudding with clotted cream, an artery-clogging finish to a sumptuous meal.

The Drink
A limited but well-selected list has wines by the glass from under £6.00 and bottles from under £25.00 that won’t damage the bill unless you choose to go to town on a bottle of Krug for £150.00. The house champagne, however, is Bollinger at about £60.00.

The Last Word
Lunch could cost under £40.00 and dinner under £50.00 plus wine, and it is certainly worth it, even if it’s only for special occasions. The Dining Room at The Goring is great for any occasion and its afternoon tea is one of the best in town, with homemade sandwiches and cakes that are unbeatable.

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