Hush (Bar, Restaurant)

Tourists in London are often given lots of advice on how to get the best out the fair city; buy on oyster card; take a tour bus; boat down the river Thames. The truth of the matter is that no-one will ever get the best out of London Town without first getting completely and utterly lost. Take my advice: do it on purpose. The best of what London has to offer is often a complete secret, in hidden mews and concealed backstreets, off the well beaten track. Every area in London has at least one of these hidden gems, and in Mayfair one such place is Lancashire Court.
 
The Court's cobbled streets house a handful of sublime restaurants and bars, tucked away just behind the fashionably expensive Bond Street. The best of which is Hush, a restaurant and bar that has surreptitiously built up a legion of faithful foodies and celebrity fans (pictures of whom line the upstairs bar). And where better to begin an evenings fine dining than at the bar? A finely edited cocktail list is on offer to whet the appetite; with fruity indulgences, sweet tipples and house concoctions, I was spoilt for choice. Expertly trained mixologists will create bespoke drinks tailored to every taste if  nothing immediately grabs the attention.
 
Tearing myself away from the intimately lit top bar, and descending into the restaurant (it's a good idea to book ahead), I found myself in a seductive dining room - this place has been designed to melt away the outside world and help one to forget any worries. For an evening at least. The menu at Hush is best described as eclectic, with something to tantalise even the most selective taste buds. I dined on wild mushroom risotto, a dish that famously takes an age to prepare and is meant to be savoured. King Prawns, butterflied and cooked in garlic and parsley butter, made a delicious main course - mostly because eating with my fingers always feels a bit naughty.
 
It's was easy to let the seamless experience wash over me at Hush, but taking a step back it's the little things I noticed that made this a place worth dining: From the rustic copper pots that the side dishes are served in, to the attentive table service, all the pieces of this gastronomic puzzle go to make a truly satisfying picture. The restaurant itself is a treasure chest with its own hidden gems, including 'La Cave', a wine boutique where one can refine the palette with a wine tastings and learn how to make sublime drinks with a cocktail master class.
 
I do of course feel I'm betraying the restaurant by telling everyone how great it is. The place is, after all, called Hush. If you do go, and you most certainly should, then don't shout about it from the roof tops. Best to keep this place your own little secret and if you do feel the need to tell people about it, keep it to a quiet whisper....read more