A new pearl in an old shell

Now in its ninetieth year, Bentley’s first opened its doors in 1916 in the same beautiful old Victorian building it occupies today on the borders of Soho and Mayfair. Bentley’s combines a relaxed oyster bar with a more formal Grill restaurant, plus three private rooms, arranged over three floors.

Almost 3 years after restoring Bentley’s to its former glory from the roaring twenties, the restaurant still retains its critical acclaim and position as one of the most exquisite restaurants in London serving oysters, fish and seafood in much the same way it has since 1916.

Richard Corrigan, who has famously hung up his chef whites from the BBC’s Great British Menu after winning the competition two years in a row, has a passion for sourcing ingredients and places a large emphasis on the producer and supplier. Bentley’s sources all its own ingredients, such as smoked salmon from Frank Hederman in Ireland and the finest West Cork beef from some of the best producers available. Deliveries arrive fresh to the kitchen every day.

Open for lunch and dinner, the upper story Grill is divided into the Grill Room (36 covers), Rib Room (34 covers) and the Crustacea Room (14 covers). The larger rooms combine William Morris design blue and white fabric on the walls, warm wooden flooring, blue leather chairs and original Bentley’s fish prints and paintings to create a modern, relaxed atmosphere. The Crustacea Room, with its carpeted floor and burgundy decor, has a cosy, more intimate air.

The Grill menu firmly focuses on the freshness of Bentley’s fish, meat and game and a light hand in the kitchen allows the quality of the ingredients to sing for themselves. Typical dishes might include Shellfish bisque with brandy, Steamed fillets of Dover sole with crab and apple, 50 day aged beef with peppercorn sauce and Bentley’s signature Royal fish pie with lobster, scallop, haddock and tiger prawns.

On the ground floor, with a choice of sitting either at the marble topped bar or in red leather banquettes at marble tables, the Oyster Bar has a casual air perfect for either grazing, dropping in before or after a show or eating a decadent meal. Dishes include Herrings with sweet mustard & dill, Smoked eel with crème fraîche & potato pancakes, Steamed Cornish fish with Thai spices and of course Oysters alongside a selection of Irish Stout, beers, plus a well-chosen selection of wines and Champagne.

Live music is played in the Champagne Bar, adjacent to the Oyster Bar, by some of London's finest Pianists every Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, from 8pm to Midnight. The Champagne Bar has a fantastic selection of Brandies and Whiskies, as well as some sophisticated cocktails.

Bentley’s critically acclaimed wine list features some of the finest examples of small regional producers and wine growers from all over the world. It is perfectly matched with seafood and is divided into various grape varieties and wine growing regions.

Bentley’s is locates at 11-15 Swallow Street, London, W1B 4DG.

Visit Bentleys.org for more information.