When I visited his then pop-up at Number One Park Lane late last year, Webb’s menu celebrated both his winning dishes and new creations inspired by his childhood memories. “I think I would say the menu is all about championing British produce with a refined and fun twist,” he says. The ethos of bringing the best of British to the forefront is evident from the get go as we’re welcomed with a glass of sparkling wine from the eco-friendly, award-winning Hampshire winery Hattingley Valley. Our sommelier describes the wine as one that has undergone not just a barrel fermentation but a second fermentation in the bottle as well, giving it a distinct, rounded flavour.
The atmosphere is welcoming and jovial and as we’re shown to our table, it’s clear that Webb has included his team in every aspect of his vision with the servers describing the dishes with passion, explaining the stories behind each plate. Webb himself can be seen in the dining room, popping around to each table to talk diners through their meal. “I love coming out to the dining room to chat and explain the food to customers. Some like chatting about the show and some like knowing more about the dishes themselves,” he explains. “It’s also a chance for me to make sure the front of house team is having fun and all is going smooth—which it always is.”
The restaurant offers two-course, three-course, and seven-course tasting menus with wine and cider pairings available too. Highlights of our meal included a charred red mullet in a refreshing watermelon, green apple, and lime consommé; a beautiful lobster toast with sesame seeds and chili jam, claw meat served on the side in a lobster bisque sauce split with onion oil (Webb described this dish as being his favourite on the menu, calling it “fun and delicious”); a perfectly autumnal Creedy Carver duck breast served with a blackberry port sauce; and a playful cheese board, brought to the table atop a map of the UK, a further nod to Webb’s desire to showcase the brilliant bounty that the British Isles have to offer. Innovative yet authentic, elevated yet unpretentious, it’s of no surprise that Webb’s pop-up was so successful that it has now become a permanent fixture at the hotel.
Alex Webb on Park Lane
Address:
InterContinental London Park Lane, 1 Hamilton Pl, Park Lane, London, W1J 7QY
Phone: 020 7409 3131
Website: https://parklane.intercontinental.com/alex-webb-on-park-lane/
