Restaurant Gordon Ramsey, London, 14th April 2014

A few years ago I tried to get a table for lunch at Restaurant Gordon Ramsey but couldn't and instead ended up having one of the best lunch menus I've ever had at another Ramsey restaurant called "Petrus". I've tried to get a table a few more times since but unsurprisingly for a three michelin star restaurant trying to book 1-2 weeks in advance hasn't ever proved fruitful. So it was very much on the off chance that on a Saturday I had a look on their booking website to see if they had any tables for lunch 2 days later-imagine my surprise and excitement when there was a table to book!

So two days later I was on my way down to London and then had a very nice walk down Royal Hospital Road passing a few Chelsea Pensioners. I was the first guest to arrive at the Restaurant and had a lovely few minutes in the room soaking up the atmosphere on my own (with a glass of sparkling rose and a few nibbles) before other people started to arrive and it was transformed into a bustling hive of activity. 

We opted for the 3 course lunch menu because there were some very appealing choices and it was considerably cheaper than the other options.

Even the butter was beautiful

To start there was an amuse bouche of chicken rillette and fresh spring vegetables. Then I had asparagus with peas and roast chicken sauce followed by roasted rabbit loin. Both were cooked perfectly and I could have eaten at least twice the amount.

Amuse bouche

Asparagus 'Polonaise' with peas, chard lettuce and roast chicken sauce

Roasted rabbit loin with Bayonne ham, salted baked turnips, toasted hazelnuts and pickled mustard seed

I opted for a dessert that very much satisfied my love of chocolate: Chocolate bars with toasted milk mousse.

Chocolate bars with toasted milk mousse and tonka bean ice cream

It was one of the best desserts I've had and complimented by a lightly unusual choice by the sommelier of a saki. After the desserts there was still more to enjoy-a selection of petit fours (included some that were cold and although lovely weren't great for sensitive teeth as my friend found out).

Petit fours

Cold petit fours

The reaction to cold petit fours

Overall we had a pretty much perfect lunch-the service was impeccable and the food great. The lunch menu on it's own wasn't too expensive (£55 for 3 courses), inevitably things mounted up when you added on drinks etc-that's when you realise you are paying 3 michelin star prices. But I'd say it probably rivalled Petrus for the best lunch menu I've ever had.

Thanks to the builders who took this

http://www.gordonramsay.com/royalhospitalroad/menus/