BACKGROUND
The Balcon is within the Sofitel St James, and offers all-day dining. The recently appointed Chef Matt Greenwood has introduced a new menu of fusion and French inspired dishes.
Matt’s extensive experience is evident in the menu, from his first job at his family's fish and chip shop to Peter Gordon’s Providores his love of fusion shines through.
THE RESTAURANT
The entrance is on Pall Mall and through revolving doors into the dining room, modelled on a classic French brassiere, with high ceilings, dark leather banquettes and tall arched windows making the room very elegant.
Two spiral staircases lead up to the Champagne store which is a feature of the room and gives the restaurant its name. Its simple and stylish décor looks very French, crisp white linen and glistening silverware set the scene.
We were warmly greeted and promptly shown to our seats, we were on a raised area that gave us a great view of the restaurant and all the comings and goings. At 7pm the restaurant was about half full but soon filled up which it needed as its big high ceiling could have made this place feel empty and cold.
Our waiter left us with menus to peruse and explained a few things; some have symbols to denote a light low calorie meal, what was gluten free etc. There is a surprisingly good choice, whatever your dietary needs.
THE DRINKS
The wine list is well chosen and compact, all wines are available by the glass plus a rather nice cocktail list with some interesting drinks:
Our other main was crispy skinned sea bream, clams, samphire, salsify, laverbread and buerre blanc (£21) which was also very good, perfectly cooked fish, plenty of tender salsify with a delicious creamy butter sauce.
These to me were classic French bistro dishes, there were a few fusion twists here and there on the menu but would have been nice to see more of this.
From our vantage point I had spotted the impressive dessert trolley, not in anyway like the 70’s array of black forest gateaux, bowls of fruit salad and the likes but instead a mobile patisserie window full of boutique style pastries.
You can select a few and share the plate or choose from the menu of other desserts. I couldn’t resist Profiterole with banana caramel, vanilla ice cream, hazelnuts and Frangelico ganache and it didn’t disappoint, beautiful crisp pastry with an amazing banana caramel drizzle that was perfect with the chocolate and hazelnut.
As a lighter option we tried from the menu the yogurt pannacotta with raspberry jelly (both £7). It looked so pretty with little cubes of tangy jelly and raspberries strewn over the top.
A superb dinner, hearty portions, good ingredients and visually beautiful dishes.
THE SERVICE
We couldn’t fault the service, friendly, relaxed and just the right amount of attention. They were well informed and charming.
VERDICT
A really elegant restaurant that felt very special, great location and the perfect place for a weekend lunch when shopping or a pre theatre dinner. The food is of a very high standard with impeccable presentation that tastes as good as it looks.
OPENING HOURS
We were warmly greeted and promptly shown to our seats, we were on a raised area that gave us a great view of the restaurant and all the comings and goings. At 7pm the restaurant was about half full but soon filled up which it needed as its big high ceiling could have made this place feel empty and cold.
Our waiter left us with menus to peruse and explained a few things; some have symbols to denote a light low calorie meal, what was gluten free etc. There is a surprisingly good choice, whatever your dietary needs.
THE DRINKS
The wine list is well chosen and compact, all wines are available by the glass plus a rather nice cocktail list with some interesting drinks:
- SUNFLOWER Ketel One Vodka infused with Anichai tea, Drambuie, pear, carrot and lime juice, simple syrup, cardamom bitters, prosecco
- CAMILLE Hibiki 12 year old whisky, lime juice, St James berry syrup, egg white, plum bitters
Our other main was crispy skinned sea bream, clams, samphire, salsify, laverbread and buerre blanc (£21) which was also very good, perfectly cooked fish, plenty of tender salsify with a delicious creamy butter sauce.
These to me were classic French bistro dishes, there were a few fusion twists here and there on the menu but would have been nice to see more of this.
From our vantage point I had spotted the impressive dessert trolley, not in anyway like the 70’s array of black forest gateaux, bowls of fruit salad and the likes but instead a mobile patisserie window full of boutique style pastries.
You can select a few and share the plate or choose from the menu of other desserts. I couldn’t resist Profiterole with banana caramel, vanilla ice cream, hazelnuts and Frangelico ganache and it didn’t disappoint, beautiful crisp pastry with an amazing banana caramel drizzle that was perfect with the chocolate and hazelnut.
As a lighter option we tried from the menu the yogurt pannacotta with raspberry jelly (both £7). It looked so pretty with little cubes of tangy jelly and raspberries strewn over the top.
A superb dinner, hearty portions, good ingredients and visually beautiful dishes.
THE SERVICE
We couldn’t fault the service, friendly, relaxed and just the right amount of attention. They were well informed and charming.
VERDICT
A really elegant restaurant that felt very special, great location and the perfect place for a weekend lunch when shopping or a pre theatre dinner. The food is of a very high standard with impeccable presentation that tastes as good as it looks.
OPENING HOURS
- Monday to Friday 1100 -2300
- Saturday 1130 - 2300
- Sunday 1130 - 2200
