The brainchild of celebrity chef Richard Corrigan, Bentley’s Oyster Bar and Grill had been on my list of places to dine at for quite some time, so of course I jumped at the chance to pop over one lunchtime for a review.

There to sample the new alfresco dining area, I was lucky to pick one of the nicest days of the year so far, with not a single drop of rain threatening to spoil my meal. In fact, the only thing I could say against my experience at Bentley’s was the fault of lunch date, whose timekeeping left  little to be desired…

Anxiously awaiting the arrival of my colleague Laura (what she lacks in punctuality, I lack in patience) I was thankfully put at ease with the offer a glass of the finest Champagne. Sipping my bubbly, taking in the newly pedestrianised Swallow Street, it struck me how ‘European’ the location now looks. Had it not been for the well-to-do businessmen sat to my right, I could easily have believed I was in a picturesque Italian village, where the afternoons are spent relaxing with a siesta more often than they are putting together business deals. A relaxing haven away from busy Central London, I felt completely cut off from city life, which may explain why it took me four hours to make it back to work.

That said, it is rather hard to tear oneself away from Bentley’s once you have started your meal. With food so delicious, it would be a waste to refuse that extra portion, or that final course. With specials everyday to choose from in addition to the usual menu, there is plenty of choice for everyone. I was feeling rather adventurous (given that I’m somewhat choosy when it comes to food) and decided to sample gooseberries for the first time, which beautifully accompanied the delicious mackerel as a starter dish. Laura, who had thankfully by this time found the venue (and a disgruntled companion waiting) ordered the oysters, sampling a selection from various locations, announcing Essex to be her favourite.

For main course, I opted for the swordfish, served with Greek style humous, a mixture of almonds and garlic. Cooked to perfection, I was beginning to think I had found a new favourite restaurant, while Laura chose the shellfish linguini, remarking on how the homemade pasta had so much more flavour than what she was normally used to. Being a pasta lover, I pinched a bit for myself and had to agree.

Dessert was next. Looking back, this is probably where my ‘working lunch’ became the entire afternoon… Pleasantly full from our mains, we should have stopped there, but the strawberries with a sherbet-like sauce and the crème brulee sounded too good to pass up. Always unable to resist my sweet tooth, I not only devoured my strawberries, but most of Laura’s brulee. To be honest, I don’t think she was very impressed with this, but I looked on it as ‘sweet’ revenge for her being so late…

Sipping on a perfectly frothy latte after dessert, Laura and I each remarked on how we would definitely be coming back. Since Richard Corrigan took over the reins in 2005, Bentley’s reputation for excellence has spread rapidly. Often however, such high expectations are difficult to meet, yet considering everything from the friendly waiting staff to the menu, to the location (even the wallpaper in the loo was gorgeous), it is testament to the dedication of the staff at Bentley’s that Laura and I each left (eventually), positive that we wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Bentley’s to anyone looking for a fabulous meal in the capital, with all the trimmings.
With attention to detail with every dish, and delicious wine to suit every offering (I sampled a particularly lovely Sauvignon Blanc), Bentley’s certainly deserves its aforementioned reputation.

My only regret is that my selective taste buds have not yet developed enough for me to sample the oysters for myself, but if I have my way, there will be other times at Bentley’s Oyster Bar & Grill.

To reserve a table at Bentley's call 020 773 4756 or email reservations@bentleys.org