The Balcon, Pall Mall

What…/ Located within the grade II listed Sofitel London St James, The Balcon provides fine dining in one of London's finest dining rooms. On the menu…/ Having earned his stripes at an eclectic array of top restaurants, including Blixen and Kopapa, Head Chef Matt Greenwood's menu provides re-imagined French classics with subtle Asia-Pacific influences. Settle in with a seasonal cocktail whilst drooling over the menu and you'll find dishes including Pork cheek and shiitake dumpling, pickled mushrooms, mange tout and sesame salad; Twice baked goats cheese and walnut soufflé, golden beetroot, rocket; and Elwy Valley lamb sirloin with kidney, sweetbread, broad beans, white beans and wild garlic pesto.  Desserts are just as impressive sounding, including the Chocolate mousse, salted caramel popcorn & mandarin. The venue…/ Basically the antithesis of the ‘coolest' restaurants in town, there's not a reclaimed panel or wooden bench in sight! The Balcon has been beautifully designed with double height ceilings and majestic columns set with gilt and marble. Other impressive details include the stunning Champagne Balcony, finely weaved wire chandelier and foxed glass mirrors and arched windows that reach to the ceiling and are framed by silk drapes. We went and here's why you should go…/ When you need somewhere to do some old-school entertaining, The Balcon should be high up on your list.  Incredible venue, attentive service and the sort of fancy plates you only see on Masterchef! How much…/ The fancy postcode and snazzy décor doesn't come cheap, so expect to pay around £50 for food and £10/glass on wine. Where…/ The Balcon London, 8 Pall Mall London SW1Y 5NG www.thebalconlondon.com