34 Mayfair: Inside The Grosvenor Square Hotspot

Caprice Holdings is the group behind some of London’s most glamorous restaurants. Among its roster there’s Bacchanalia, the Greek juggernaut on Mount Street; Chelsea stalwart Daphne’s; and glitzy sushi emporium Sexy Fish. But for a taste of old-school London with a New York edge, head to 34 Mayfair: an upmarket grill perched just off Grosvenor Square.

Review: 34 Mayfair

34 Mayfair opened in 2011, but it has the feel of somewhere that has been around for decades. With the top-hatted doorman, live jazz music and art deco-inspired interiors (think warm table lamps and burnt orange leather banquettes), the space has a nostalgic ambience reminiscent of the Roaring Twenties.

Kick off your evening with a glass of champagne from the extensive wine list – or begin by delving into the cocktail menu. The ‘Old World Signatures’ selection includes twists on Jazz Age classics, like the Sakura Martini, Tanqueray gin with cherry blossom vermouth and orange bitters; and the Bee’s Knees Fizz, a champagne cocktail flavoured with honey and lemon juice.

The food menu is centred around grills – which you can watch being sizzled up in the open kitchen. Before you get stuck into those, though, there are some light and fresh seafood-focused starters to enjoy, like seared scallops with mojo butter, a shrimp cocktail, and tuna crudo.

For the main course, there’s a variety of steaks to choose from, including some seriously premium cuts, like Japanese wagyu sirloin (naturally, this doesn’t come cheap, at £120 a pop). If you’re craving the luxe beef without the sky-high price, consider the wagyu mac and cheese (£38). There’s also Korean BBQ spatchcock chicken, chargrilled seabass, and glazed Cornish lamb skewer, all of which are cooked to perfection (note: this isn’t really the spot for veggies, although there is a good burrata salad, plus a Sicilian aubergine ravioli). Whatever you go for, be sure to order some crispy potatoes on the side – endlessly moreish, and served with a spiced aioli dip. 

The decadence continues into dessert, with standouts including the fluffy doughnuts, filled with lemon curd and raspberry sauce; and the baked vanilla cheesecake, designed to be shared between two.

Live jazz takes place every Friday night, but weekend brunch is a highlight here too, offering luxurious twists on classic breakfast fare (think buttermilk fried chicken waffles, and truffled Hollandaise Benedict). 

Prices are high, as you’d expect from this postcode – but this doesn’t seem to stop the bookings flying in. On a recent Friday night, the atmosphere was buzzing, with tables filled to the brim with well-heeled diners. It’s a hotspot for celebrities too: everyone from Kate Middleton to Joe Jonas and Pharrell Williams has been spotted dining there over the years. If you’re celebrating a special occasion, this timeless restaurant is sure to fit the bill, offering top-class food in the most chic of settings.

BOOK IT:

34 Grosvenor Sq, S Audley St, London W1K 2HD, 34-restaurant.co.uk