insideKENT Magazine Issue 48 - March 2016 | Page 35

LONDON

GALVIN AT WINDOWS
I WAS EXPECTING NOTHING SHORT OF LUNCHTIME PERFECTION AT MICHELIN-STARRED
GALVIN AT WINDOWS ON THE 28TH FLOOR OF THE LONDON HILTON ON PARK LANE.
WHEN THE WEBSITE GIVES YOU A FIRST IMPRESSION WITH THAT VIEW, AND THE
DESCRIPTIONS AND CORRESPONDING DROOL-INDUCING FOOD PHOTOS MAKE YOU
WONDER WHAT IN THE WORLD YOU’VE BEEN EATING YOUR WHOLE LIFE, YOU CAN’T HELP
BUT HAVE HIGH EXPECTATIONS. by Donna Martin

With over 1,100 five-star ratings on TripAdvisor
(only a handful of restaurants are on par with this
in London, out of a whopping 18,450 eateries),
Galvin at Windows truly is something spectacular.
It’s the prime place to celebrate a special
occasion, or perhaps impress a date. The
combination of awe-inspiring views, creative
French haute cuisine and impeccable service
makes for one exemplary establishment. London,
be proud.
And let me finish my introduction by letting
you in on a little secret (or maybe not so secret)…
The suave, blue-eyed Maître D' from Channel
4’s First Dates, Fred Sirieix, just happens to be
the general manager here. Need I say more?
We arrived slightly early – as you do when
you want to make the most of something – and
enjoyed a tipple or two in the lounge while
perusing the menu. Offering everything from
Champagne cocktails to vintage whiskies, the
bar was swanky and comfortable, but sorry to
say I didn’t pay too much attention to any of that.
Or to my dinner guest.
No, I’m not sliding into a spiel about Fred
– I’m talking about the views. The views were
just, wow; not only for the simple fact that both
the lounge and restaurant are surrounded by
sprawling windows, but the extra-long sofas on
one side of the lounge – which we w