Formal dining at its best, The Greenhouse has been delighting the taste buds of savvy Londoners for over 25 years.

The Venue
A secret garden in the heart of Mayfair invites diners to pause for an aperitif on their way into the newly refurbished Greenhouse restaurant. Inside, the design is sleek and contemporary with leather furniture, caged orchids and a rather spectacular chandelier which hangs over the private dining area.

The Atmosphere
The Greenhouse is a restaurant aimed at the older generation and everything, including the prices, reflects this. Diners communicate in hushed tones, there is a strict policy on mobile phones and the place is empty by 11pm, so this is not the sort of place to take a group of high-spirited friends for a night out. The excellent food and discreet service however, make it one of the top choices in London for formal dining.

The Food
As well as the a la Carte menu, The Greenhouse offers seasonal and tasting menus, dishing up all of the usual suspects such as steak, scallops and foie gras. What makes a meal here stand out however, is the chef’s expert blending of classic ingredients with some more unusual flavours such as combining red mullet with aubergines and bonito flakes.

The Drink
The Greenhouse has enlisted a team of expert sommeliers to help guide you through a daunting but expertly chosen wine list of over 2,000 labels. Take their recommendations, or even go so far as to give them free rein to tailor the wine to each course. You won’t be disappointed, although it’s probably worth discussing a budget of some kind first as The Greenhouse does carry some seriously expensive bottles.

The Last Word
The food is sublime, the wine superb and the service impeccable but six words are important for a truly enjoyable evening here - make sure someone else is paying.