Things we love about Mount St. Restaurant
3 September 2024 , by Annabelle SpranklenWith its prime Mayfair postcode, dazzling interiors and impressive artwork adorning its walls, there’s high expectations on Mount St. Restaurant to deliver brilliant cooking and a truly indulgent atmosphere. Thankfully it never disappoints…
One of best private dining rooms in London
Forget another soulless private dining area, above Mount St. Restaurant you’ll find The Curious Rooms, a bold collection of four decadent spaces worth taking over for your next big do. From the clubby Games Room, a clandestine enclave complete with card tables and lounge seating to the elegant Venetian-inspired sherbet-shaded Italian Rooms that wouldn’t look out of place in a real Palazzo, each has a unique feel and playful palette with a blast of fine art on the walls.
You’ll eat among art masters
Did we mention how the art at Mount St. Restaurant is taken just as seriously as the food? It’s hardly surprising given this dining hotspot is owned by the art-world supremos behind Hauser & Wirth and has become a perfect destination to showcase both important works and specially commissioned pieces. From the mesmerising mosaic ‘Broken Floor’ by Rashid Johnson which runs throughout the dining room to the likes of Lucien Freud’s ‘Self Portrait: Reflection’ and Andy Warhol’s ‘Lobster,’ you’ll catch a glimpse of an art great at every turn.
A prime Mayfair location
An unbeatable location, Mount St. Restaurant is located on the first floor of iconic Mayfair landmark The Audley Public House, a traditional London neighbourhood pub. With arguably one of the best addresses in Mayfair, it’s just a 10-minute stroll from Bond Street station, between Grosvenor Square and Hyde Park, with hotels such as The Connaught, Claridge’s and The Biltmore on its doorstep. There’s a wealth of designer boutiques nearby too including Jenny Packham, Erdem and Oscar de la Renta, all situated on Mount Street.
Expect exceptional British food
Of course, we can’t talk about Mount St. Restaurant and not mention about the food. The menus, masterminded by executive chef Jamie Shears, are traditional British with an elevated, cheeky twist. Order the lobster pie and you’ll find it comes with a googly-eyed crustacean peeking out beneath the pastry and the 18th-century mock-turtle soup has been reimagined as a croquette. The classics here are done beautifully - from Dover Sole with triple-cooked chips to Sunday lunch and a proper full English for breakfast.
Accessibility is taken seriously
While accessibility looks different for everyone, Mount St. Restaurant has implemented some accessible features to ensure that everyone can enjoy what it has to offer. From step-free access from the Audley Public House on the ground floor to spacious, wheelchair-friendly tables (spaces big enough to turn) and sensor-activated bathroom facilities, this is definitely one of the more accessible restaurants in Mayfair.
Discover nearby: The Audley Public House
Since you do actually have to step into The Audley Public House to get to Mount St. Restaurant, it’s definitely worth stopping for a pre-meal tipple. This 200-year-old pub was revived by Artfarm, the same people behind Mount St. Restaurant and The Fife Arms, keeping it a classic London pub, albeit with a modern artistic twist.
Expect dark woody interiors, leather booths and traditional patterned carpet, all very much in keeping with the building’s history. Peppered around the room are restored features - from the 19th-century carving knife that was used when the pub first opened that’s now framed on the wall to the 19th-century clock which reportedly took six French polishers two months to revive. Bringing the whole place into the 21st-century is the artwork, from the psychedelic ceiling by artist Phyllida Barlow to a neon ‘FRIENDS’ sign by Turner Prize winner Martin Creed that floats above the bar.
And then, of course, there’s the food - from bar snacks like Scotch eggs and rarebit or bigger plates such as Cornish haddock, chips and mushy peas or chicken and Marmite pie - proper English pub grub awaits. No wonder this place was recently crowned the best pub in London at the National Pub & Bar Awards 2024.
Farm Shop
Just a short stroll from its sister properties The Audley Public House and Mount St. Restaurant, Farm Shop is the sort of place you’ll stroll into and find very hard to leave empty-handed. This is the Mayfair version of the group’s store at Durslade Farm in Bruton, Somerset, with much of the same produce on offer.
Shelves are stacked to the rafters with the freshest, seasonal produce, many ingredients sourced directly from its 1000-acre free-range farm. From freshly-hatched eggs to estate-grown wine, honey from the hives and cider from the orchard, this is the place to fill up your pantry or build your own hamper.
Foodies will want to make a beeline for the butchery room where estate-reared free-range lamb and beef is on offer, with barbecue boxes and wagyu burger-making kits too.
If you’re just too hungry to wait, there’s cheese toasties and sandwiches loaded with the farm’s own meat. Plus, rotisserie chicken is roasted daily with a genius dedicated Chicken Line (call or WhatApp 07749701549 to place your order) with whole or half chicken up for grabs. Be quick, they’re quick to sell out.
Don’t miss a trip downstairs to the rustic wine bar, with big wooden tables and sharing platters filled with cheese and meat from the farm shop to accompany your glass.