It is never easy naming a restaurant. On this occasion, I wanted something that represented our menu that is inspired by historic British gastronomy, so I searched for a name that had a bit of history, but was also fun.In the past, the main meal -dinner-was eaten at midday, before it got too dark. But affordable candles and, later, gaslight saw dinner shift. By the mid-1800s people were dining later. People working in the cities were taking a 'lunch' to work and having their main meal at 5.00pm when they got home, while in rural areas the main meal was still taken at midday.
Even today, depending where you are in the British Isles, 'dinner' might be served at lunchtime, suppertime or, indeed, dinnertime! This made 'Dinner' the natural choice for its typically British quirky history and linguistic playfulness. If nothing else, I hope it's easy to remember.
— Heston
Dinner began in the late 90s with Heston Blumenthal’s fascination with historic gastronomy. The savoury ice creams of the late 1800s, the theatre of the Tudor dining experiences and the dishes of Alice’s adventures in Wonderland all resonated with his unique approach to cooking. Dedicated to the modern day discovery and evolution of dining he realised that the excitement and obsession with food is no new modern day phenomena. Together with the team Heston created a menu that takes those discoveries and fascinations of history into a new and evolving modern dining experience. Researching 14th century cookbooks such as those by the royal chefs of King Richard II to Lewis Carroll’s flights of fancy. Working with food historians, tapping into the world of Museums, the British library and the team at King Henry VIII's Hampton Court Palace - from this, the very modern dining experience of Dinner by Heston Blumenthal was born.
The restaurant interior has been conceived as a subtle, elegant portrait – contemporary and innovative, yet mindful of tradition. The dining room features floor-to-ceiling glass walls, giving diners a view of the kitchen and its unique pulley system. Modelled after a version used by the royal court, the pulleys rotate the spit over an open-fire. The ivory-painted walls are decorated with custom-made porcelain wall sconces in the shape of antique jelly moulds and of course the uninterrupted views of Hyde Park brings the connection to history full circle.
RECOGNITION
The Michelin Guide - Two stars, from 2013 - Present
AA Restaurant Guide - Four rosettes, 2018 - Present
The S. Pellegrino World's 50 Best Restaurants Awards - No. 45, 2018
The S. Pellegrino World's 50 Best Restaurants Awards - No. 36, 2017
The S. Pellegrino World's 50 Best Restaurants Awards - No. 45, 2016
The National Restaurant Awards 2016 - No. 34 in the top 100 UK Restaurants
Elite Traveler World's Top 100 Restaurants - No. 13, 2016
The World of Fine Wine (Wine List) - Three stars 2015
The S. Pellegrino World's 50 Best Restaurants Awards - No. 7, 2015
AA Restaurant Guide - Three rosettes, 2015
Conde Nast Traveller India - Winner Favourite Restaurant in Overseas Hotel 2014
The S. Pellegrino World's 50 Best Restaurants Awards - No. 5, 2014
Ashley Palmer-Watts - 2014 “Chef’s Chef of the Year” Restaurant Magazine’s National Restaurant Awards
The S. Pellegrino World's 50 Best Restaurants Awards - No. 7, 2013
AA Restaurant of the Year 2012 - AA Restaurant Awards 2012
Best UK Hotel Restaurant - National Restaurant Awards 2012
The S. Pellegrino World's Best Restaurants Awards - No. 9, 2012
Time Out London - Meat Fruit included in Top 100 dishes in London 2012
The Michelin Guide - One star, 2012
Financial Times - Winner of Best Restaurants of 2011 Awards
London Restaurant Festival Awards - Laurent – Perrier Award for Pioneer 2011
Square Meal Magazine - Best New Restaurant 2011
AA Three Rosettes - 2011
Tatler Restaurant Awards - Restaurant of the Year 2011
Observer Food Monthly - UK’s Best restaurant 2011
Observer Food Monthly - UK’s Best restaurant – runner up 2012
Sunday Times Top Food List - Top 100 Restaurants 2011
Zagat London Restaurant Survey - London’s Top Newcomer 2012
Robb Report (US) - Best of the Best 2011
The High Life Travel Awards - Best New Restaurant 2011
National Restaurant Awards 2011 - UK’s Top 100 Restaurants 2011, 3rd place
National Restaurant Awards 2012 - UK’s Top 100 Restaurants 2012, 10th place
Olive Magazine - Alternative Restaurant Awards 2011, Most Hyped Restaurant