Foliage

Sitting opposite Harvey Nichols and backing on to Hyde Park, this imposing luxury Knightsbridge hotel fairly bristles with class. To the uninitiated, its liveried doorman and fluttering flags outside might give the impression of a grand Edwardian edifice in the old tradition, yet it's anything but. Sure there's a sumptuous marble foyer, but this is the playground of the young and fashionable, international jetsetter and highflier. Smiling greeting staff are contemporarily dressed, as are the equally fashionable bar and glass-fronted wine-store entrance to Foliage, the signature fine-dining restaurant. Chic, stylish and intimate, the restaurant's theme is all in the name, with Adam Tihany's design conceiving to 'bring the park into the restaurant'. Giant glass wall panels enclose thousands of white silk leaves that come alive with lighting and change colour to echo the seasons, while a split-level floor ensures all have a view of park life. Clean lines, striking flower displays and luxury fabrics and furnishings add to the sophisticated modern tone. These fine details support the dining room's reputation as one of London's finest under chefs David Nicholls' and Chris Staines' sublime cooking. Their approach is via an enticing repertoire of fixed-price menu options that take in a terrific-value lunch jour, carte and tasting offering. Tip-top quality, luxury ingredients grace the intricate cooking showcasing the kitchen's silky technical skills, with well-conceived, well-presented dishes of clean, clear, balanced flavours that live up to the setting and set the tastebuds alight. Think a fillet of Buccleuch beef with 24-hour braised wagyu, oysters, smoked potato purée and pickled Thai shallots, or perhaps pan-fried fillets of John Dory with crushed ratte potatoes, red pepper, tomato and clam vinaigrette and black olive oil.

In Knightsbridge with Harrods on right, hotel is 0.5m on left, opposite Harvey Nichols
Nearest station: Knightsbridge

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