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Oyster bar Scotts is voted the pearl of London restaurants
Benedict Moore-Bridger19.12.08
MAYFAIR dining room Scotts has been named restaurant of the year in a leading industry magazine's awards.
The restaurant, which began in 1851 as an oyster warehouse in Piccadilly, was where James Bond creator Ian Fleming reportedly discovered the dry martini, shaken not stirred.
Scotts beat competition from Arbutus, Chez Bruce, Cinnamon Club, Hibiscus, L'Anima, Marcus Wareing at The Berkeley, Maze, Zafferano and Zuma to be named BMW Square Meal Award for Restaurant of the Year 2008.
Acquired by Richard Caring's Caprice Holdings in 2006, the seafood restaurant and oyster bar is led by chef director Tim Hughes, whose menu is based on produce from British waters.
Dishes included pan-fried slip soles with cockles, shrimps and chervil butter, and fillet of Cornish brill with Jerusalem artichoke purée and trompette mushrooms.
Square Meal editor Ben McCormack said: "Scotts was an instant hit with London's A-list when it reopened two years ago but it is as hot today as when it relaunched. It ticks all the boxes, combining glamorous surroundings and a feelgood atmosphere with food that is prepared to a consistently high standard, charming and efficient staff, and a keenly-priced wine list."
The winner will be officially announced in the 2009 edition of the Square Meal Restaurants & Bars Guide, published this month.
Reader views (2)
Anything but Gordon Ramsay
- Aristotle Cohen, London, UK
And so it should; it sets high standards and maintains them. It gives the customer what he wants, even though he may not be sure what that is. If I eat out anywhere this Christmas, it'll be Scotts.
- Peter Haldane, London
