There are some fictional places that you wish existed in real life. Fantasy settings and locations that grab your imagination, their essence and the idea of them remaining with you over the years; an attic with a wardrobe leading to Narnia, Tom Wolfe’s 80′s New York, Rick’s Bar in Casablanca. Occasionally, just very occasionally, life treats you to a glimpse of a real place that sustains the magic of the fantasy locations.
Scott’s is such a place. Brazenly hidden in full view on Mount St. in the heart of Mayfair, this restaurant is pure 1960′s James Bond class, but brilliantly modernised. The beautiful bar and dining room exude an atmosphere of pure bygone-era sophistication. It’s the sort of establishment that makes you glad it’s kind still exist.
We arrived fresh from our butchering across the road, which lent a nice juxtaposition to the proceedings, as we felt like interlopers from the wrong end of the supply chain. This was soon forgotten as effortlessly charming service at the bar saw us eagerly tucking into a cool bottle of Alsatian Riesling.
From bar, to table, to seafood nirvana. Atlantic Prawns with white asparagus salad, Devon Seabass with herb butter, Char-grilled veal cutlet (we had just been on a butchery course!). I don’t remember all the specifics of the meal, other than that it was perfect, and soft-focused, and swaddled in warm afternoon luxuriousness; I even think Joan Collins and Michael Caine dropped by our table to check we were having a nice time, or maybe I was just getting carried away with it all…
I now understand fully why this won the Square Meal Restaurant of the Year 2008.
Scott’s20 Mount Street
London W1K 2HE
0207 495 7309
