Harden's survey result
Summary
“If you can’t make it to Cartmel to visit L’Enclume, enjoy Simon Rogan’s innovative cuisine here in London in a strange combination of chef’s table and culinary laboratory: a unique gastronomic and social experience in all respects!”. From May 2023, the star chef’s Soho outpost grew (a little) in size to seat 12 guests (up from the original 8) together with a complete refurb. But fans say “they didn’t need to bother with the decor when the food (from executive head chef Oli Marlow and head chef Charlie Tayler) is this spectacular”; and they hail it as “the top spot in the capital for those who want to focus on what’s on the plate” (for which the ingredients are primarily sourced from ‘Our Farm’ – Simon’s Lake District property). Compared with the culinary pyrotechnics and inventiveness, the “wine list is quite simple by comparison”.
Summary
“Charlie Taylor and his small team are brilliant hosts, striking the perfect balance of informality and professionalism to draw you into the intimate dinner-party style mood” at this tiny chef’s table experience in a Soho alleyway, whose menu is, in part, a showcase for owner Simon Rogan’s famous L’Enclume. “Don’t come expecting linen table cloths and flunkies: you are dining in an extended kitchen, so it only works if you want the food to be the star. And it’s truly stellar” – “strong classic flavour combinations inspired by seasonal produce”. One niggle repeated a couple of times this year: “numerous dishes seemed simply ready to plate” which can detract from the experience (“I was disappointed that all we really saw was the final touches to the preparation, it was fun, but I missed the opportunity to learn more about the food, as you can at some chef’s tables”). For the most part, though, few doubt that a meal here is anything other than “stunning”. Despite awarding L’Enclume three Michelin stars, the tyre men bizarrely award no stars here.
Summary
“Blown away by the food!” – Simon Rogan’s only restaurant in the capital is a “small, intimate chef’s table experience, with six diners per seating”: “an oasis of calm and elegance”. When it first opened a few years ago, they only told you where it was after you had booked, but in recent times they have become much less ‘secret squirrel’ about its location off a Soho alleyway. It has also recently ditched its single-offering, all-in £195 per head format (which included all food and drinks) in favour of a more conventional £125 per head tasting menu, with various drinks offerings. “With just half a dozen customers, it offers an excellent chance to chat with fellow diners and the fabulous chefs and hear the story of the food”. “The chefs do a great job of preparing and hosting at the same time”, and the food is “exceptional and original”. “Three hours speed by in a jiffy”. This year’s only complaint? – “the ground hazelnut topping could have benefitted from being slightly coarser!”.
Summary
Lakeland-based uber-chef Simon Rogan’s eight-seater development kitchen offers “a fascinating and unique experience”, featuring “some of the most creative dishes in London”. Diners pre-book (at £195 a head) and go to a secret Soho address, where a dozen surprise courses and paired wines are prepared in front of them by two chefs. “We went for our anniversary but the other six diners pulled out; what could have been awkward became a once-in-a-lifetime exclusive pampering!”.
For 33 years we've been curating reviews of the UK's most notable restaurant. In a typical year, diners submit over 50,000 reviews to create the most authoritative restaurant guide in the UK. Each year, the guide is re-written from scratch based on this survey (although for the 2021 edition, reviews are little changed from 2020 as no survey could run for that year).
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16a St Anne's Court, London, W1F 0BF
Restaurant details
Prices
| Availability | 2 courses | 3 courses |  |
 |
 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Always | £185.00 |  |
|
|
| Drinks |
|
|---|---|
| Wine per bottle | £40.00 |
| Filter Coffee | £6.00 |
| Extras |
|
|---|---|
| Bread | £0.00 |
| Service | 12.50% |
16a St Anne's Court, London, W1F 0BF
Opening hours
| Monday | CLOSED |
| Tuesday | 7 pm‑11 pm |
| Wednesday | 7 pm‑11 pm |
| Thursday | 7 pm‑11 pm |
| Friday | 7 pm‑11 pm |
| Saturday | 12:30 pm‑3:30 pm, 7 pm‑11 pm |
| Sunday | CLOSED |
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