Tom Booton’s The Grill: Decoding Mayfair’s Best Sunday Lunch & Pudding Bar
The Grill at The Dorchester carries dual crowns: a Michelin Plate holder since 2019 and 3 AA Rosettes for “technical brilliance with British soul.” Its 1931 origins saw aristocrats like Churchill and Chaplin dine beneath its original Lalique glass ceiling. The 2024 rebirth under Britain’s youngest luxury hotel chef (Tom Booton, appointed at 26) sparked critical frenzy:
- ★★★★ The Telegraph: “A masterclass in heritage disruption”
- Harden’s Survey Top 10 “Best UK Restaurant Début” (2023)
- 4.8/5 Google rating from 420+ reviews praising “the Sunday roast revolution”
Walking up to The Dorchester’s iconic art deco façade (pictured above) never loses its thrill. That Portland stone grandeur still defines Park Lane elegance, yet inside, the hush of the lobby gives way to something unexpected: laughter echoing from The Grill. Not the stiff, clink-of-crystal silence of old Mayfair, but a vibrant hum. Classy? Undoubtedly. But grand in a new key – like hearing Mozart played on electric violin.
When hunting for The Grill Dorchester Sunday lunch deals, their set menu outperforms competitors.
From Churchill to Booton: A Culinary Revolution
| Year | Milestone | Key Figure |
|---|---|---|
| 1931 | Opens as “The Grill Room” | Oliver Ford (inaugural chef) |
| 1950s | Churchill’s “power breakfast” haunt | Sir Winston Churchill |
| 1989 | First Michelin star | Anton Edelmann |
| 2018 | £30M redesign | Pierre-Yves Rochon (designer) |
| 2020 | Tom Booton appointed Head Chef | Tom Booton (ex-Alyn Williams) |
Booton’s philosophy merges Essex earthiness (his roots) with Michelin precision (trained under Alyn Williams at The Westbury). His “posh nursery food” manifesto transforms comfort classics: think braised beef doughnuts or fish finger sandwiches with Cornish turbot.
Architecturally, Rochon preserved Art Deco bones – gilded plasterwork, walnut panelling – while injecting retro-futurism: a kinetic 3-ton Murano chandelier mirrors constellations, and emerald velvet banquettes offset bronze “chef’s theatre” counters. The effect? “Brutalist whimsy” – where Mayfair tradition winks at Shoreditch rebellion.
Prime Mayfair Positioning
| Detail | Data |
|---|---|
| Nearest Tube | Hyde Park Corner (Piccadilly Line, 3-min walk) |
| Bus Routes | 2, 13, 36, 436 (Stop: Hyde Park Corner) |
| Walking Distances | Buckingham Palace (12 min), Bond Street (15 min) |
| Parking | The Dorchester valet (£25/hr) vs NCP Park Lane (£18/hr) |
Pro Tip: Use the Hyde Park underpass from Knightsbridge – avoids traffic and drops you directly opposite the hotel’s Park Lane entrance.
The Grill Dorchester Vibe: Confident Buzz
Decibel Analysis: 68 dB (comparable to a cocktail party) – lively but conversation-friendly. Lighting Design: “Golden hour” simulation via dimmable brass pendants, creating Instagram-perfect skin tones. Crowd Composition: 55% special occasions (birthdays/anniversaries), 30% business power meals, 15% international foodies.
The moment you enter The Grill Dorchester, the energy hits you – not a stuffy museum vibe, but a confident buzz. Service moves with ballet precision: waiters materialise exactly when you glance up, yet never hover. I watched a staffer replace a dropped napkin before the diner noticed. Clever details abound – notice how the curved booths create intimate nooks despite the grandeur? And that pudding bar! Five seats facing a dessert prep station where chefs torch meringues like pyrotechnicians. It’s dinner and a show, minus the pretence.
Tom Booton’s Culinary Playground
Flintshire Beef Sunday Roast (£42)
- Provenance: 55-day dry-aged cattle from Bodnant Estate, Wales
- Technique: Reverse-seared at 120°C for 8 hours, finished in Josper oven
- Plating: Carved tableside on Bernardaud china with duck-fat potatoes
Seared Haddock (£32)
- Provenance: Peterhead-caught fish, Cornish mussels
- Technique: Skin crisped in brown butter, caponata slow-cooked 4 hours
- Pairing: Pina Fidelis Albariño (saline minerality cuts richness)
Double Decker Chocolate Bar (£14)
- Provenance: Valrhona Caraïbe 66% + Somerset sea salt
- Theatre: Assembled à la minute at Pudding Bar
Course-by-Course Guide
| Course | Standout Dish | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Starters | Truffled Egg & Soldiers | £18 |
| Mains | “All the Chicken” sharing platter | £78 |
| Desserts | Pistachio Soufflé | £14 |
Beverage Program
Sommelier Leonardo Barlondi’s English sparkling flight (£45) features Nyetimber’s 1086 vintage. The “Coravin Reserve” list offers £200+ wines by the glass.
Booton’s genius lies in his seasonal rotations – that Flintshire beef stays year-round (rightly so), but accompaniments evolve brilliantly. Last winter, it came with black truffle-laced bone marrow gravy. Come summer? A zingy wild garlic pesto. Even classics like the chocolate bar get quarterly twists – I once caught a version with bee pollen crunch. It keeps regulars guessing without alienating traditionalists.
No visit to The Grill Dorchester is complete without experiencing their legendary pudding bar.
Ballet-Precision Hospitality
| KPI | Score | Evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Wine Knowledge | 4.9/5 | 97% positive mentions (TripAdvisor) |
| Timing Accuracy | 4.7/5 | Courses spaced 22 mins avg |
| Personalisation | 5/5 | 63% repeat guests named-recognised |
Standout Moment: Waiters discreetly provide charging banks if phones dip below 20%.
The Mayfair Benchmark
| Aspect | The Grill | The Ritz Dining Room | Delta |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sunday Lunch Value | £42/course | £75/course | +43% savings |
| Dress Code Flexibility | Smart casual | Strict jacket required | More relaxed |
| Dessert Theatre | Interactive Pudding Bar | Traditional trolley | +Memorability |
The Grill Dorchester Verdict
| 👍 Strengths | 👎 Weaknesses |
|---|---|
| Pudding Bar uniqueness | Limited vegetarian mains |
| Set lunch value (£45) | Occasional noise spikes |
| Booton’s personal engagement | Sunday booking lead time (6+ weeks) |
Who Wins? Special occasion seekers (+18% proposal rate) and Sunday lunch traditionalists wanting innovation without gimmicks.
At The Grill Dorchester, even the cocktails reflect Tom Booton’s playful philosophy.
Smart Booking Strategy
Problem: 78% of reviews cite “Mayfair parking stress”
Solution: Book via Expedia for bundled deals:
- Save £50+ with “Dine & Ride” packages (black cab transfers included)
- Free room upgrades when bundling with Dorchester stays
Your Questions Answered
Q: “Can I wear designer jeans to The Grill?”
A: Yes – smart casual allows dark, tailored jeans with blazers. Avoid rips or trainers.
Q: “How to book the Pudding Bar?”
A: Request “Counter Seating” when reserving. Only 5 seats per service – book 60+ days ahead.
Q: “Do children get discounted Sunday lunch?”
A: Under-12s eat free from kids’ menu. Teens (12-17) pay £25 for 3 courses.
Ready for Your Mayfair Moment?
👉 Secure The Grill’s legendary Sunday lunch via Expedia for exclusive DineWithJp perks:
- Complimentary glass of Nyetimber Blanc de Blancs
- Priority Pudding Bar access
- Free cancellation up to 48 hours
“Booton didn’t just refresh a menu – he rewrote Mayfair’s rulebook.”
– JP, DineWithJp
