The stakes were high – a 30th Birthday, inviting the in-laws and James’ first guest restaurant blog. Big stakes = big name – Gordon Ramsay at Claridge’s it was. Whether or not Art Deco is your choice, you cannot help but be impressed by the interior of the hotel – there is nothing understated on that front. 

Whilst our 3 menus were presented to us, we quaffed champers, which for the rosé/pink drinkers had run out of bubbles. This was quickly exchanged by the sommelier without fuss – back on track. The 3 menus were Á La Carte, Menu Prestige (6 course tasting menu) and the Set Lunch Menu. We all opted for the Set Lunch Menu and whilst less than half the price of the other two, the quality was not compromised. 

With our Starters being prepared, we were served with a complimentary small bowl of pumpkin, mushroom and parmesan soup to wet the appetite – it did not fail. Onto the Starters – our selections were Caesar Salad; Smoked chicken and foie gras terrine, spiced quince chutney with a ham hock brioche; and Cornish red mullet with a courgette and scallop fricassé, shallfish nage. All received positive comments with one non-Caesar Salad eater having opted for this, given Gordon Ramsay’s (self-proclaimed) high quality for this dish. We now have a Caesar Salad convert! 

Moving onto the Main Course, four of the six had chosen roasted rump of Oxfordshire lamb, glazed root vegetables, lentils with a thyme jus. Wonderful! The meat was cooked superbly and the portion size for this and the other Mains were just perfect with all the meat being cooked just as requested. The other two choices were for guinea fowl with gnocchi, veg and a startlingly green, parsley sauce; and beef served on a bed of fresh spinach with delicately roasted potato and Gordon's signature 'mystery' vegetable. If I was a betting gal, I would go for artichoke…..     

It is worth mentioning the level of service received – there was a large number of staff, each with a job to do and all of which were done well. I have been lucky enough to eat in another of Gordon Ramsay’s restaurants and the set up was the same here – very attentive but never overbearing. Our queries were dealt with in a quick and professional manner. The only downside being that this level of service highlights the lesser quality that we have all become used to. 

Time for dessert – the selections were a hot chocolate fondant with milk ice cream; Braeburn apple crumble with cinnamon sorbet & crème Anglaise; baked egg custard tart with rhubarb; and a selection of French and English cheeses. Sensational! The textures and flavours just oozed out (particularly in the case of the hot chocolate!). 

We all finished up happy, hunger satisfied but not uncomfortably overfed – just the right quantities for all courses. 

Onto the essentials – would I go again? Absolutely. Would I recommend it to others? Definitely. The price? The Set Lunch Menu is a very reasonable £30 per person. Our bill was high but that was our choice (and quantity) of champagne and wine to accompany this very fine meal. For the wine buffs, you will be in Heaven here – the list is, at a guess, 40 pages long with descriptions of each wine and prices ranging from £20 to a staggering £10,000! To further emphasize that wine and food is a very serious business here, the food menus are left with us for a few minutes prior to the wine list arriving, which allows the opportunity for reflection as to what would compliment the food choices we are in the throws of making, rather than the more modern vice versa where you are asked to chose the wine before really getting to grips with the menu. My only negative comment would be to watch out for the price of those initial glasses of champers whilst you look at the menus……an expensive way to build up the appetite!