The Ritz, Piccadily, London

The Ritz goes back to Cesaer Ritz, a guy from the canton of Wallis in Switzerland and the founder of modern luxurious hotel business. Ritz is credited with assembling “a little army of hotel men for the conquest of London” and running the Savoy before actually giving his name to this classic establishment in London. So what better place for me to visit for lunch than the main restaurant. When walking over form Russel Square (20 min walk) I check my reservation and read the fine print. Gentlemen are expected to wear a jacket and tie except for breakfast. Luckily I was already dressed in a suit and after spending 10 GBP on a tasteful non-silk tie I was ready for anything. I showed up right on time (12:30) and was asked to wait a few minutes since the restaurant wasn’t open yet. Quite frankly for an establishment of this calibre I’d expect them to be punctual… Like many places the menu features only a couple of nouns per dish and leaves the rest open to the imagination.

I start with Oysters & Bergamotte, tastefully executed and the fruity undertone plays well with the fried oysters. The onion soup was with a thicker cream base and accompanied by a small tartelette. I enjoyed the way the sweetness of the onion was showcased in this dish. Duck egg with wax like structure was is one of my favourite textures, the logical slices of truffle accompanied it. The turbot showcased with mushrooms was splendid and perfectly cooked, truthfully for 49 GBP there’s no room for slacking off.

One of the reasons I went to the Ritz, was that my grandfather worked here in the late 1920ies. Looking around, most of the waiters look young and foreign & it seems that the Ritz is still a popular place for people who have just finished a hospitality school as a place to further develop their skills.The place is pretty stiff and formal and feels somewhat artificial. Especially the afternoon tea  in the foyer feels somewhat like a Disneyland attraction for American tourists. As in an place that requires a tie, prices are pretty top-notch.