The Dorchester hotel | Alain Ducasse at the Dorchester

After closing for refurbishment last year, The Grill at The Dorchester hotel has reopened with a new look, new menu and a new head chef. First established in 1931, the long-running London restaurant is part of the five-star luxury Mayfair hotel The Dorchester, and is one of five restaurants there, which also includes Alain Ducasse’s three Michelin star restaurant. The Grill’s new menu has been designed by Ducasse protégé Christophe Marleix and the interior by architect Bruno Moinard. Originally designed by Oliver Ford, The Grill Room, as it was known at its inception, used red and gold Hispanic décor inspired by grand Spanish palaces. In 2006 the interior was redesigned by Thierry Despont, referencing the original owners’ Scottish heritage with bold murals and tartan. Now, for 2014, the restaurant have sought to create a more relaxed and inviting interior, with the aim of attracting both neighbourhood regulars and discerning diners with a less formal environment. The new interior features layered textures and contrasting natural materials, such as zinc and copper against

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marble, and butterscotch leather against oak parquet flooring. The wall panels have two sides; during the morning they will show a light sycamore side, and in the evening they can be rotated to reveal a darker black lacquer façade, transforming the ambience. Diners can choose between two types of seating: banquette, with folding armrests inspired by a classic

car, or countertop-style. Completing the relaxed atmosphere is an open rotisserie and an amber-coloured Murano chandelier. Starters on Christophe Marleix’s menu include lemon sole goujonettes and chips with homemade tartar sauce, and grilled chicken salad with cos lettuce. From the grill itself, free-range black leg chicken with ‘street corner’ potatoes is one of a number of dishes on offer. Meanwhile, in the desserts section, pastry chef Ludovic Cuny has created a chocolate soufflé, one of five different souffles on The Grill’s dedicated soufflé menu – a first for London. The Grill at The Dorchester hotel is open now for reservations. Head here for more details. By Stuart Armstrong