The prestigious Cafe Royal reopened this week as a luxury 159 bedroom hotel. In keeping with its glamour and style this infamous building has been restored to its former glory and the legacy lives on.

Last night I was invited to have dinner  at Cafe Royal in the Ten Room. As you enter the main doors of the hotel on Regent Street you are greeted with elegance and sophistication of bygone decades, centuries even, as Cafe Royal originally opened back in 1865. With its stained glass windows, painted murals on the ceilings,  coving, white marble and restored floors,  this  listed building still has a minimalistic feel  about it.  As you are greeted by the doorman and enter the lobby, down the corridor on your left hand side you will find the Concierge Desk and Reception. Follow the corridor round and you enter the Ten Room Restaurant and discreetly at the end is the Bar.

The Ten Room Restaurant has been named so, as it’s location is 10 Air Street, and this is the entrance the guests will actually use, as taxi’s can stop here, rather than on busy Regent Street. When I arrived with my guest, we went to the bar and we ordered a couple of cocktails, before taking our table in the restaurant. Throughout the night we were attentively looked after by Assistant Manager Andrejus Vyprickis.

The menu for this brasserie style restaurant has a selection of dishes to suit all palates. Essentially it is traditional British cuisine, however their chef has added his flair with a mixture of flavours and textures to intrigue you.

Cornish Crab – dressed crispy quails eggs with parsley

Lobster and Prawns – Salad of Granny Smith and Cider Vinaigrette

The starters, pictured above were absolutely devine as were the main courses, pictured below:

Lobster – Grain Mustard Macaroni

Label Anglais Chicken Breast served with watercress, plum tomato, braised onions and grilled mushrooms

The Lobster dish was served in a hot pot and the pasta and fish silver served on to your plate. The chicken that has been sourced is unique in that it is fed hazelnuts and supplied only to Cafe Royal.

After our main course we then had a short break as Andrejus gave us a tour of some of the public areas and we got a sneaky peek at the legendary Grill Room which has been restored  to its 1920s splendour with its gold leaf detailing on the walls.

Then it was back to the Ten Room for a mouth watering desert…

Blackberry Creme Brulee – Granny Smith sorbet and soup

..which was then completed with a pot of Earl Grey Tea.

The food was exquisite and the service outstanding as would be expected from such an establishment, and once fully operational it will certainly put Cafe Royal firmly back on the map.