The Punch Bowl — Restaurant in London

The Punchbowl is not your ordinary pub. From the moment we walked in, we were made to feel like we entered someone’s home, very taken care of and welcomed. With two young active kids, that is not always the case.

The whole experience felt like an informal high end restaurant, top end service but also space to be ourselves and relax. Annabelle, Max and Kim were never far from answering all our requests and always with a friendly smile.

The pub itself was beautiful, very classic British with the choice of booth style seating for a bit of privacy.

A bit of a wait for food but very worthwhile as every dish was cooked to perfect. We ordered the flat iron chicken, Barnsley lamb chop, pork tomahawk steak and fish and chips, served with a sharing plate of mash and chips. All the meat were succulent and juicy, chicken had that perfect crisp skin and even the breast was juicy and tender. Lamb was cooked medium like requested and was so flavourful in every bite, helped by the buttery mint sauce it was baste in.

The fish itself was very fresh, flakey meat with a lovely light and crispy batter. A generous portion with lovely fluffy chunky chips, served with mushy peas, tartare sauce and a delicious traditional curry sauce that I wanted to dip everything into (and I did).

Even the mash and fries left an impact on me, one being buttery and creamy and the other crispy and moreish and both seasoned perfectly.

When the staff told me that the Tiramichoux Bun would change my life, they weren’t lying. I would go again just to eat it again! A light crackling cloud like choux falling into a coffee rich cream with a generous portion of chocolate sauce to pour over it. I wanted to lick the plate clean. We ordered that along with two Knickerbocker glory and a treacle tart, all demolished with no shame. Now my kids like icecream but they have never finished an adult portion sundae until that discovered their Knickerbocker glory. Treacle tart was everything you expected it to be. A thin buttery biscuit base with a rich thick treacle filling, served with pecans and clotted cream to add texture and something to break the sweetness. The perfect ending of an already enjoyable meal.

No one made us feel embarrassed for ordering tap water and we were even given a big staring bottle to share our ourselves and refilled too.

A very memorable dining experience and one to visit if you’re ever around in Mayfair! Please order that...

Fantastic!

Recently visited for lunch during their soft reopening and we were very impressed.

Firstly, the refurbishment has been done in a very tasteful way. It retains a homely, yet high-end local pub feel. It makes for a very relaxed and comfortable experience. The dining room is beautifully arranged, and has all-important comfortable seating and plenty of space for all diners.

The staff are all incredibly friendly, enthusiastic, welcoming, and smiley, and they all wear a very smart uniform which adds an air of class without being stuffy or silly. One immediately feels at ease and at home.

The menu is well thought out. There is a nice mix of pub favourites (pies, fish & chips, curry) but with the addition of other dishes normally found in a restaurant (chateaubriand, lamb, halibut), plus there is an extensive specials board. Consider the menu as an elevated pub food gourmet experience.

The food was delicious. The scallops were a highlight. Cooked beautifully and presented in an eye-catching way that will make heads turn, my only recommendation is go large and order six as three will not be enough for this mouth-watering experience, especially if you have a guest and like to share! I would also recommend you save some bread for the warm garlic sauce from the shells. The prawn and crab cocktail was plentiful and fresh. I would suggest slightly less lettuce to make it perfect.

The halibut on the bone was meaty and flavoursome and there are enough vegetables that mean you really do not require additional sides. Savour each bite as it is delicate and delicious.

The pub curry comes as thali style and is very filling. The onion bhaji is moreish and the sauces allow for a meal that is a medley of fresh flavours.

We were feeling quite full and satisfied but decided to give the After Eight ice cream a try......we were not disappointed. If you enjoy mint chocolate ice cream then give this a try. It tastes exactly like After Eight and is a great finisher to cleanse the palate (it is also vegan)

PS - the bill is presented in a fun way

I want to take the opportunity to commend the service we received from Jai. He was great. Attentive, friendly, always smiling and gave great suggestions. A credit to the team.

Overall you need to visit this place, and booking for food will be a must. A local pub that is well decorated, comfortable, with a welcoming team, and has great gourmet food.....what more is...

Punch Bowl Restaurant's Reservation System

I recently experienced a rather amusing yet perplexing situation related to my attempts to secure a reservation at Punch Bowl Restaurant for their highly sought-after free breakfast and lunch promotion. As someone who prides myself on being organized and proactive, I felt confident when I promptly sent my email inquiry to Team Punch Bowl the moment the reservations opened up. However, what happened next was both baffling and slightly amusing.

In a strange twist of fate, my friends managed to secure their reservations after I sent them the link, while I found myself left out in the cold. It’s a bit ironic, really—first to email, yet somehow last to the table! They waltzed into the reservation system without a hitch, while I was met with the frustrating news that they were fully booked. As I stumbled through the confusion, I couldn't help but chuckle at the absurdity of the situation.

From what I gathered, there might be some kinks in their reservation system that need addressing. It left me wondering just how reservations were being processed. Is there a priority system? Are reservations being accepted on a first-come, first-served basis? Whatever the case may be, it certainly feels like there's a glitch somewhere in the matrix.

On a positive note, while it was disappointing not to join my friends for breakfast, the fact that they could dive into what I hear is an amazing dining experience is comforting. Maybe I'll just write this off as a case of my friends being more fortunate—or perhaps they have a secret handshake to get in! Regardless, it would be wise for Punch Bowl to look into their reservation management, as it seems they're missing out on guests who are eager to dine at their establishment.

In conclusion, while I didn't get to relish the delights of Punch Bowl this time around, I can't deny that the experience has provided me with quite the story to tell. Here’s to hoping that next time they will streamline their process so that everyone who wants to enjoy a meal has the chance to do so—especially those who, like me, make...