The Winter Garden restaurant in The Landmark Hotel is located at the centre of the hotel. The architecture with a glass roof and palm trees creates a holiday atmosphere, even on a rainy day. Live music and impressive food make this place even more enjoyable.
Since I went to a Decanter wine tasting event at The Landmark Hotel in Marylebone, I had the plan to visit their The Winter Garden restaurant. I am walking past the hotel about once a week, and one Saturday afternoon I finally decided to go there for a late lunch.
It was gently raining outside, and the light-filled atrium at The Landmark Hotel was nice and warm with palm tress spreading a mediterranean atmosphere. The Winter Garden is such a stunningly beautiful place that I could hardly believe that I was totally unaware of it until just recently.
As if the building itself was not already amazing enough, the live music made it even better. They played kind of light, enjoyable music, mostly dominated by the piano, but I also think there were one or two strings present on some works - I couldn't actually see them playing for most of the time.
Beyond classical pieces, they also played some more modern songs including music from The Beatles - fittingly I thought, not too far from Abbey Road Studios. I was a bit sad when the musicians took a little break.
First thing after being seated, I went through the wine list. The selection by the glass is okay, but somewhat limited. I went for a Sancerre white wine from France and thought it was a bit too flowery or fruity for my liking. But then, it was still a pretty decent wine.
The complimentary bread was absolutely delicious. While I am not the biggest fan of olive bread, this was warm and tasted great with soft, flavourful butter and crushed salt. A glorious start that could hardly have been any better.
I wanted something light for lunch and after going through the complete menu, I ordered a risotto with butternut suqash. Now, I am no expert in risottos, but this dish was delightful. The flavours were bold, the rice had a bit of a bite to it and various seeds tasted distinctly different and added a nice little crunch to the plate. There was some spinach and I think even fennel. The roasted butternut squash also tasted great. The dish played with colours and textures. It was rich, yet not too heavy - simply a triumph of a plate.
Of course, I could not resist and ended my lunch with a dessert. I chose a combination of white chocolate cream with blood orange sorbet. It looked beautiful, tasted great and was not too sweet. The passion fruit sorbet was a very nice palate cleanser.
Throughout my lunch, the service was very good. Just at the end they were a little bit slow to bring the bill. But then, I was not in a hurry and enjoyed sitting around a little bit longer, listening to live music and enjoying the atmosphere. Despite The Winter Garden is part of The Landmark Hotel, it feels calm and relaxed and not busy, like hotels sometimes can be. For me, the light atrium and palm trees created an illusion of holiday.
In summary, I cannot recommend The Winter Garden restaurant highly enough. This really is a place to enjoy, and I imagine, it would also be an impressive location for a date. However, you should not wait for a special occassion, just go there whenever you want to take a mini break...
Read moreI am extremely angry and disappointed with my recent experience at Winter Garden Restaurant. My girlfriend’s 20th birthday, which should have been filled with joy and wonderful memories, was completely ruined at this establishment.
That evening, we took a few commemorative photos in a non-dining area without using flash or capturing any other guests. However, we were met with extremely rude interference from a white male security guard. He initially warned us not to use our camera’s flash, but then outright forbade us from taking any photos at all. Even when we moved to a corner to avoid bothering anyone, he kept telling us to stop taking pictures and even threatened to watch us through CCTV at all times. This attitude—treating us like potential criminals—was profoundly humiliating.
What is even more suspicious is that other guests were clearly taking photos but did not receive the same treatment. Is it simply because we are people of color that we were automatically placed under “special surveillance”? This is not only a violation of basic customer rights but also reeks of discrimination, making anyone feel unsafe and disrespected.
Not only did we waste over three hundred pounds on this meal, but the entire experience completely destroyed the joy of a young woman’s 20th birthday. A 20th birthday cannot be repeated, yet we left Winter Garden Restaurant feeling humiliated and angry. The restaurant offered no explanation or apology; instead, they acted as though we had done something wrong by placing us under “special attention.” This is the worst and most shocking service I have ever encountered.
I strongly urge the restaurant management to address this incident directly and take serious action against the staff involved for such misconduct. Furthermore, this establishment must significantly improve its fair treatment of customers from all ethnic backgrounds and properly train its security personnel so that no one else endures discrimination or humiliation due to their race or any other factor.
If a restaurant cannot even guarantee the most basic sense of respect and decency, then no amount of lavish décor or high-priced ambience will make up for it. I sincerely hope no other customer has to go through such an ordeal, and I hope the management understands that this kind of behavior will cause irreversible harm to the...
Read moreFood Review: Winter Garden Restaurant
If you’re seeking a culinary escape that mirrors the cozy ambiance of a winter wonderland, look no further than Winter Garden Restaurant. Located in the heart of the city, this restaurant offers a delightful blend of seasonal flavors and elegant décor, making it the perfect spot for a winter dining experience.
Atmosphere: 9/10 As soon as you step inside Winter Garden, you're greeted by a warm, inviting atmosphere. The interior is adorned with rustic wooden accents, twinkling fairy lights, and lush greenery that evoke the charm of a garden tucked away from the hustle and bustle outside. The soft music playing in the background enhances the cozy vibe, making you feel right at home.
Service: 8/10 The staff at Winter Garden are genuinely welcoming and attentive without being intrusive. Our server was knowledgeable about the menu and offered thoughtful recommendations, ensuring we had everything we needed for a pleasant dining experience.
Food: 9/10 The menu is a beautiful reflection of the season, with an array of dishes that highlight fresh, local ingredients. To start, we opted for the roasted butternut squash soup, which was perfectly velvety and garnished with a swirl of cream and crispy sage leaves. It set the stage for what was to come.
For the main course, the pan-seared duck breast stole the show. Cooked to absolute perfection, the duck was tender and juicy, complemented by a rich cherry reduction and served alongside earthy root vegetables. Each bite was a delightful balance of flavors and textures.
We also couldn’t resist trying the winter vegetable risotto, which was creamy and comforting, featuring a medley of seasonal veggies that added both color and flavor. It’s a dish that will warm you from the inside out.
Dessert: 10/10 Dessert was an experience in itself. The spiced pear tart with homemade vanilla ice cream was simply divine. The flaky crust paired with the sweet, spiced pears made for a heavenly combination, while the ice cream added a touch of creaminess that was the cherry on top.
Overall Experience: 9/10 Winter Garden Restaurant is a must-visit for anyone looking to savor delicious food in a charming setting. The thoughtful presentation, seasonal ingredients, and excellent service make it a standout dining destination. Whether you’re...
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