RÜYA
The celebrated Anatolian restaurant and bar concept welcomes guests to its first European location. Inspired by second-generation restaurateur Umut Özkanca’s Istanbul heritage, Rüya offers sophisticated, contemporary dishes from the various Anatolian regions, stretching from the Mediterranean to the Black Sea. With chef patron Colin Clague – formerly of Zuma – at the helm, diners can experience an array of classics with a contemporary and fresh twist. The three-course lunch menu is served in 45 minutes – great if you need to get back to the office – and boasts starters including raw sea bass, mustard, apple and radish; mains such as Wagyu skirt, za’atar potatoes and salsa verde; and something sweet like chocolate and salted caramel kibbeh.
30 Upper Grosvenor Street, W1K 7PH
020 3848 6710 | ruyarestaurants.com
45 JERMYN ST.
This handsome dining room on London’s famous tailoring strip could have been lifted straight from a 1920s ocean liner. From the Art Deco lamps and the lacquered tables to the red leather banquettes, 45 Jermyn St will make you wish you’d worn formal wear to breakfast, lunch and dinner. The lunch menu is exquisite: seafood and caviar set the sophisticated tone, followed by light starters or something more substantial such as Welsh rarebit. For mains, there are meat, fish and vegetarian options – but the spiced monkfish, mussels, red pepper and coconut curry is a treat that’s not to be missed. Try a very adult ice-cream float for afters: the Kentucky sees cornflake ice cream doused in brown butter syrup and topped with bourbon or something non-alcoholic.
45 Jermyn Street, SW1 6DN
020 7205 4545 | 45jermynst.com
MELE E PERE
Reminiscent of a neighbourhood trattoria, family-run Mele e Pere’s seasonal menu uses British produce to recreate some of the dishes founders Peter and Chris grew up eating during their childhood in northern Italy. The lunch menu consists of a two-course meal, served from Monday to Friday between noon and 5pm, for £9.50. Choose from the deep-fried squid with smoked garlic aioli or burrata Pugliese with heirloom tomatoes and oregano to start, then an authentic pasta dish such as taglierini with Umbrian black truffle and Grana Padano or charcoal-grilled vegetable, meat and fish options such as whole bream with capers, lemon and oregano to follow.
46 Brewer Street, W1F 9TF
020 7096 2096 | meleepere.co.uk
FOURTEEN HILLS
Set to open this November, Fourteen Hills will be located on the 14th floor of 120 Fenchurch Street (the ‘Walkie Talkie’). The modern British restaurant will serve an all-day menu, making it the perfect place to wine, dine and schmooze with clients. Fourteen Hills boasts spectacular views of the London skyline and has mature trees and shrubs planted inside to create a lush canopy. Thomas Piat’s menu will be modern British cooked with French flair with an as-yet unrevealed business lunch during the week and a fast-serve deli counter if you’re in a rush. Expect a curated list of the grand, not so grand but always interesting wines, along with classic cocktails.
14th Floor, 120 Fenchurch Street, EC3M 5BA
020 7716 0716 | danddlondon.com
BERNERS TAVERN
This lavish dining spot at The London EDITION hotel, recently announced the extension of its set menu, making it the perfect culinary destination for business lunches. Its set menu is now available from noon to 10.45pm on Monday and Tuesday and from noon
to 5.30pm on Wednesday to Friday. Expect fresh starters such as salmon, cod and prawn fish cake with pickled rainbow radish and wild garlic sauce, followed by mains including lemon and courgetti gnocchi, thyme ricotta and crushed hazelnuts and finished with desserts such as white chocolate and coconut mousse.
10 Berners Street, W1T 3NP
020 7908 7979 | bernerstavern.com
The Work Room App
If you’re lunching alone and looking for a space to pitch your laptop, a new initiative launched by D&D London and some of its fine restaurants could be of interest. The Work Room is a fresh co-working scheme, designed to match restaurants during their quieter hours with locals in need of workspace on a strictly non-membership basis – perfect if you’re not in the capital for long. Restaurants hosting include London favourites 100 Wardour Street, Bluebird Chelsea, Bluebird White City, Fiume (Battersea) and Radici (Islington).
It’s bookable via the app and inclusive of tea and coffee for £10 per day.
