A playful nod to British history is in the very name. We’re standing before Dinner by Heston Blumenthal. Heston Blumenthal wanted a name that was fun but also had historical roots. In the past dinner was eaten at midday before it got too dark. Affordable candles and gaslight shifted dinner to later in the day. By the mid-1800s city workers lunched at work. They then had their main meal around 5 pm when they got home. In rural areas the main meal remained at midday.
Even today dinner’s timing depends on where you are in the British Isles. It might be lunchtime suppertime or dinnertime. Heston felt Dinner was a natural choice. It has a quirky British history and linguistic playfulness.
Dinner by Heston Blumenthal began with Heston’s fascination with historic gastronomy in the late 90s. He was intrigued by savoury ice creams from the late 1800s. He also loved the theatre of Tudor dining and Alice in Wonderland dishes. Heston realized food obsession isn’t a modern phenomenon.
He and his team created a menu that brings historical discoveries into a modern dining experience. They researched 14th-century cookbooks. They worked with food historians. They consulted museums the British Library and Hampton Court Palace. From this the modern dining experience of Dinner was born.
The restaurant’s interior is elegant and contemporary. It is also mindful of tradition. Floor-to-ceiling glass walls offer views of the kitchen. A unique pulley system rotates the spit over an open fire. This system is modeled after one used by the royal court. Ivory walls feature custom porcelain sconces shaped like antique jelly molds. The views of Hyde Park connect the restaurant to history.
Dinner by Heston Blumenthal has earned many awards. It has two Michelin stars since 2013. It earned four rosettes from the AA Restaurant Guide from 2018. The World’s 50 Best Restaurants Awards ranked it as number 5 in 2014.
The menu includes dishes inspired by historic British recipes. A popular choice is Meat Fruit c. 1500. This dish features mandarin chicken liver parfait and grilled bread. Another favorite is Frumenty c. 1390. This includes grilled octopus smoked sea broth and pickled fruits. The Tipsy Cake c. 1890 is a signature dessert. It is a brioche filled with decadent cream sauce.
One reviewer described having dinner at lunch at Dinner. They raved about the Meat Fruit’s mandarin jelly and creamy liver parfait. Another diner loved the Frumenty’s smoky sea broth and tender octopus. The Chicken Cooked with Lettuces and Roasted Iberico Pork Chop also received praise.
The restaurant offers a set three-course lunch. However the a la carte menu includes signature dishes. For a special experience reserve the Chef’s Table. It offers an eight-course tasting menu. Dinner by Heston Blumenthal offers a unique taste of British history.