Caxton Grill, St. Ermin's Hotel - Restaurant Review

It’s the most wonderful time of the year when London’s best restaurants and eateries pull out all the stops to deliver magical food and tipples to let us know that Christmas is finally here. From festive afternoon teas to Christmas lunches and dinners, I’m posting a series of reviews featuring London’s Best Festive Menus. Next up is the Festive Menu at Caxton Grill inside St. Ermin’s Hotel, Westminster, London. 

When you enter St. Ermin’s Hotel through the elegant bronze rotating doors, you can’t help but gaze up in wonder at the undulating balcony and beautiful double grand staircase adorned with stunning decorative plasterwork that makes you feel as if you are in a house of royalty. The glorious red and white Christmas decorations make it all the more spectacular and you certainly feel the Christmas spirit throughout. This festive cheer becomes more refined as you enter the hotel’s restaurant, the Caxton Grill. The restaurant has a smart polished look about it and it feels like a real occasion to be dining there. 

The servers are friendly and incredibly knowledgeable, explaining in detail the dishes of the Christmas menu and what the wine pairing should be.

The menu itself is compact yet there are some peculiar and intriguing dishes to choose from. For starters, there’s a choice between Smoked Duck, Duck Rillettes, Mulled Wine Gel & Celeriac, Beetroot Cured Monkfish, Curry Cream, Watermelon & Potato Crisps, and Portobello Mushroom, Jerusalem Artichoke & Truffle.

I was recommended the monkfish and I was so glad I chose it. This dish is nothing short of stunning in both presentation and taste. The monkfish is cured beautifully with the beetroot to give an extra sweetness to the dish and it works perfectly with the little balls of watermelon and the mellow curry cream. I really loved this dish and I highly recommend it.

My guest had the portobello mushroom which was also very nice and was packed with the earthy flavour of the mushroom and the white truffle. Both dishes were also delicately plated to give you a sense that this is no ordinary Christmas menu. 

For mains, the stand out dishes were Roast Turkey Tournedo with Cranberry and Chestnut Stuffing, Seasonal Vegetable with all the trimmings and the Red Mullet, Saffron and Cardamom Cream.

I went for the turkey and it beats my attempt at cooking turkey any day! This turkey was so soft and juicy that I wouldn’t be surprised if it was cooked in a sous vide to make it extra tender. It was fabulous, especially with the meaty and sweet chestnut stuffing of which there was plenty. The vegetables were also cooked very nicely and I really enjoyed the pigs in blankets. 

The red mullet was also soft and flaky with wonderful flavour combinations from the saffron and cardamom cream and the orange and lemon gel. It also looked stunning on the black plate. 

The dessert was Bergamot Parfait with Douglas Fir Ice Cream, Poached Kumquats & Crisp Meringue, and Toffee Apple Mousse with Crème Fraîche Ice Cream. Like with the rest of the menu, the desserts looked like works of art. Both dishes also tasted divine and I especially liked the creme fraiche ice cream which was incredibly rich and creamy. Of course the faux apple was spectacular in look and it really added a fun element to the dish. The actual mousse had a nice toffee apple flavour which worked beautifully with the ice cream. 

The bergamot parfait was very subtle but the flavour was great and again the ice cream was a revelation. The poched kumquats were very tart and helped to cut through the sweet parfait and meringue. 

Price?

The two course menu costs £35 per person and for three courses it is prices at £45 per person. Add a glass of Prosecco for £9 or 500ml Carafe of House Wine for an additional £15.

Available from 27 November – 30 December
(Lunch Monday-Friday 12-2.30pm and Dinner Monday-Sunday 6pm-10pm).

Overall?

Caxton Grill is fabulous restaurant that serves up some stunning looking and tasting dishes. Dinner here is a real memorable experience and the Christmas menu is especially magical. This is a restaurant that takes pride in the food it serves and the impeccable service certainly enhances the dining experience. Prepared to be wowed by stunning food in a magical setting.

Book your table at Caxton Grill.
Address: 2 Caxton St, Westminster, London SW1H 0QW
Phone: 020 7227 7777
Closest Tube station: St James’s Park

Her Favourite Food x

My meal here is complimentary, all opinions are my own.