“Scott’s Mount Street Mayfair” Seafood/All Around Restaurant in London (1/10)

 Scott’s Mount Street Mayfair London

You don’t have to be a movie star or celebrity or royalty to eat at Scott¹s
of Mayfair, but the likes of Hugh Grant, Madonna and Prince William all eat
here.

But perhaps the establishment’s most famous patron was James Bond creator
Ian Fleming, who ate here regularly. I’ll take you to Scott’s and we’ll have
some of their dressed crab and a pint of black velvet, remarks James Bond to
his Chief of Staff in Diamonds are Forever.

With its old school sophistication and glamor, it is no surprise Fleming
declared Scott’s to be his favorite restaurant. It was reportedly here, that
he discovered the legendary dry martini‹shaken not stirred.

Founded in 1851 by the young fishmonger John Scott at his oyster warehouse
at Coventry Street Piccadilly Scott‘s rapidly evolved into London‘s most
celebrated sea food restaurant. The restaurant moved to its current location
at 20 Mount Street Mayfair in 1968. Recently Caprice Holdings, the people
behind The Ivy acquired the restaurant gave it a multi million pound re-fit.

Scott’s lavish new interior conjures the luxuriant ambiance of an Edwardian
ocean liner. The room is both elegant and capacious with lustrous oak
paneling and rich burgundy-leather banquettes. A glamorous bar, with green
onyx top and stingray-skin-covered front sits centre-stage. Along with a
truly fabulous contemporary chandelier, designed by Patrice Butler.

As one would expect, the menu at Scott’s favors traditional seafood and
oysters, but perhaps more surprisingly, it offers a mouth-watering selection
of seasonal meat and game, along with a variety of deliciously tempting
vegetarian dishes. Service, as one would expect at a restaurant of this
caliber, is unsurpassed. The staff are both attentive an unobtrusive. In the
kitchen, legendary chef Kevin Grafton has been drafted in from Le Caprice
restaurant. Dishes are mathematically precise and supremely presented.

Oysters are the specialty de la Maison at Scott’s and they usually have
several varieties on view in their giant crustacean display. Caviar is
available from £58. For seafood aficionados I definitely recommend the
plateau de fruits de mer for two, at £28 per person. This is also available
with lobster at £43. Scott’s built its reputation on seafood so it makes
sense to indulge!

Champagne is the perfect accompaniment to oysters and fresh seafood. A
variety of champagnes to suit any occasion are available here. From the
Theophile Roederer Brut NV, by the glass for £11.50; to Salon Le Mesnil 1982
at £550 a bottle. They also have a tasteful and affordable selection of
wines from France, Europe and the new world.

Scott¹s offers wide selection of starters, ranging from the traditional, to
the innovative. You can play it simple with the white onion soup featuring
blue cheese and cobnuts for £7.50; the sautéed deviled chicken livers, with
puffball mushrooms on toast. Are mouth-wateringly moreish; or how about
Cod’s tongues with ceps and roasted bone marrow? A particular favorite is
the Octopus carpaccio with spring onion, chili and coriander. Whatever you
choose, you simply cannot go wrong, such is the level of culinary excellence
here.

For the main event, there is a wide choice of fish courses Roasted Monkfish
with artichokes and plum tomato dressing is delicious. As are the Pan-fried
slip-soles with cockles, shrimps and chervil butter. But don’t forget we are
dealing with haute cuisine here, so those of you with larger appetites `I
would suggest ordering a selection of sides. Potatoes come chipped, mashed,
or buttered and there is also a seasonal selection of vegetable dishes, all
for around the £5 mark.

Vegetarians and dedicated carnivores are equally welcome at Scott’s. This is
especially convenient; if one of your party doesn’t share your enthusiasm
for all things fishy, and the good news is that the meat, game and
vegetarian dishes are all of the same consistently high standard, as the
restaurants seafood mainstays. How about Char grilled vegetable Provencale
with fennel pilaf? Or Roasted autumn squash with creamed sweet corn and sage
butter, both delicious and priced around the £10-£12 mark.

Game fans will enjoy the likes of Roasted red legged partridge with braised
puy lentils, bacon and chanterelles mushrooms at £19.75. Or Roasted red
legged grouse with bread sauce at £29. The meat dishes are fresh and well
sourced. Veal comes from Cumbria, lamb from Cornwall and the rib steak from
Bannockburn Scotland, so it is a truly British spread at Scott¹s.

In a similar way to its stable-mate The Ivy, Scott¹s is a master of the
comfort food finale. All deserts are priced reasonably around £8. I can
particularly recommend the Baked pear and almond tart with bitter chocolate
ice cream, and the Baked toffee fondant with clotted cream. But there is a
delicious selection of desserts and puddings on offer here, from Popcorn ice
cream with hot chocolate sauce to the more traditional crème brulee and
sorbet‹in a variety of flavors.

If you have room left for the cheeseboard, then your personal trainer will
most definitely disapprove. But attractions here include: Brie de Melun and
Roquefort. A wide range of digestifs is available, including fine Cognacs,
Port and Grappa

So next time you are in London book Scotts for either lunch or dinner‹its
just off the famous Berkley square, not too far from the quality hotels on
Park lane. I can¹t guarantee the celebrity count only a quality dining
experience and perhaps a dry martini, shaken not stirred naturally.

Scott¹s 20 Mount Street, Mayfair, London W1K 2HE
Reservations: 020 7647 6326