London's Rubens at the Palace hotel opens fine-dining restaurant

The English Grill, a luxurious new fine-dining restaurant at London hotel The Rubens at the Palace, has officially opened its doors. Boasting a glass-walled kitchen, a signature 20-ounce steak, luxurious décor, and regal views over the Royal Mews at Buckingham Palace, the restaurant is the new jewel in the crown of the recently revitalized central London neighborhood of Victoria.

Embracing the best of English tradition, design and flavors, the elegant brasserie-style restaurant serves an exquisite menu designed around premium seasonal produce. The highest quality ingredients are locally sourced from top English suppliers, including meats from Aubrey Allen, Royal Warrant holder to Her Majesty The Queen.

In homage to The Rubens’ rich royal history and links with traditional English high society, The English Grill delivers warm and impeccable service from tail-coated waiters, including the daily roast, which is carved tableside on a bespoke silver trolley. These traditional roasts include delicacies such as beef Wellington served with creamed onions and Madeira jus; belly of slow-roasted pork with crackling and apple sauce; and salmon en croute, locally sourced from Billingsgate Fish Market and served with creamed spinach and Champagne butter sauce.

Also on daily rotation are The English Grill’s signature gourmet pies, which offer modern twists on retro classics, and include English favorites such as pork and apple, Shepherd’s and chicken pot pies – the latter made from a famed recipe that was perfected by Beatrice Tollman, founder and president of The Red Carnation Hotel Collection.

The English Grill’s menu also features a selection of vegetarian and seafood dishes, as well as the 20-ounce Aubrey Allen Tomahawk Steak, which is perfect for sharing. A streamlined lunch menu is offered during the day, and diners can expect the same exacting service and quality of food as they get in the evening. The à la carte menu is accompanied by an extensive wine list, including a fine selection from Bouchard Finlayson, The Rubens’ sister vineyard in South Africa.

The 28-strong team of chefs is led by executive chef Ben Kelliher, who joins The English Grill from Butlers Restaurant at The Chesterfield Mayfair, another sister property. During his decade-long tenure at Butlers, Kelliher established it as one of the finest dining venues in Mayfair with a reputation for “the best Dover Sole in London.” Kelliher also brings with him pastry chef Sarah Houghting, who oversees the range of desserts offered at The English Grill, including gourmet takes on English favorites such as Eton mess, crème brûlée and Bea Tollman’s baked vanilla cheesecake.

Part of the five-year, multimillion-pound refurbishment of the Rubens, the design of English Grill combines polished silver, luxurious fabrics and beautiful chandeliers to create a feeling of grandeur and elegance. The addition of intimate leather booths framing the windows of the restaurant give the sense of dining in a private members’ club. The hotel’s regally refurbished Cavalry Bar provides a welcoming environment in which to enjoy pre-dinner cocktails, or to extend the evening with a digestif while enjoying the live music offered nightly.

The kitchen serving The English Grill has also been fully refurbished, with the addition of a glass wall to allow guests to see the action within. The kitchen’s state-of-the-art charcoal-fired oven, the Josper, reaches temperatures of 932°F and imparts a subtle smoky flavor to meat, ensuring none of the natural flavors and moisture are lost in the cooking process.