Apsleys - The Lanesborough, Hyde Park Corner

Apsleys: Recently re-launched in September, Apsleys is situated in The Lanesborough Hotel on Hyde Park Corner. Their new Head Chef, Heinz Beck already has a fantastic reputation running one of Italy's best restaurants the three Michelin starred 'La Pergola' in Rome. Regarded by many as the best chef in Italy, this is his first venture in London.

Review: My wife and I had booked our table for 9pm as we'd decided to take advantage of staying at The Lanesborough overnight for her birthday. At just after 9pm, we headed down to the restaurant with high hopes, having eaten at La Pergola in Rome back in April where we were fourtunate enough to meet Chef Heinz Beck after an amazing meal.

We were led to our table in a quiet corner of the restaurant and ordered a glass of Champagne whilst we decided on the food. We pretty much knew that we were going to have one of the tsting menus, it was just a case of deciding whether it would be the five or seven courses. Within minutes, we were ready to embark on the seven course menu with accompanying wines paired to each course.

With our Champagne, we were brought a surprise from the chef, a tiny soup and mushroom shaped aubergine starter. This was very nice and kicked things of rather nicely. We then cracked on into the full seven courses with some lovely bread on the side.

Sea Bass Wafer, Tomato Confit & Avocado2007 Cuvee Anna, Tiefenbrunner, Alto Adige, ItalyThis was a very delicate, light and pretty dish with some lovely flavours and great textures all perfectly matched with the wine.

Scallops, Amaranth & Black Corns

2005 Verdicchio di Matelica Riserva, Belisario, Le Marche, ItalyThis dish wasnt quite what we were expecting, as the scallops were served raw on top of the back corns. Never the less, it was very tasty and beatifully presented and the wine worked very well indeed.

Foie Gras, Cereals & Mushroom Consomme2007 Riesling, Schloss, Johannisberg, Rheingau, Germany
We were both aprehensive about the foie gras, not because it was foie gras but beacuse we'd had this dish at La Pergola and had been left slightly dissapointed. However, this time around it really delivered on flavour with the foie gras wonderfully caramalised with balsamic it really was a delight. The wine worked well too, not being a fan of Riesling it was very good.

Carbonara FagotelliN.V. Prosecco Garbel, Adami, Veneto, Italy

The Carbonara Fagotelli, or Fagotelli 'La Pergola' as it's called in Rome is an absolute delight. We'd had high hopes for this dish as in Rome, it was absolutely amazing. A Heinz Beck signature dish, it's one of the best plates of food that I've ever eaten. Not bad for a bowl of pasta!!

Dover Sole & Fine Herbs2008 Verdejo, Jose Pariente, Rueda, SpainAn unusual looking dish, its flavours and textures were lovely, reminding us of our trip to rome and a similar dish with little rice crispies in every bite. Another winner here.

Lamb Crepinette2007 Nebbiolo Langhe, Produttori del Barbesco, Piemonte, ItalyAs you would expect, the lamb came with a wonderfull red wine from Italy. The meat was so soft, delicate but the dish was packed with flavour and a realy joy. Another amazing dish from a great chef.

Setteveli, Chocolate & Hazelnut2005 Tokaji Aszu, 5 Puttonyos, Royal Tokaji Co, HungaryLast up was the pudding, a fabulous chocolate treat with hazelnuts and gorgeous ice cream. It looked amazing too as you'll see in the photo I took! The wine on the other hand wasnt up to scratch, but then I've never been a big fan of desert wines.

Conclusion: This restaurant is the business, it delivers on every level. The food is excellent, with wonderfull flavours, textures and truly beautiful presentation from my point of view it knocks spots of Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester and it head and shoulders above many other London restaurants. Heinz Beck's winning combination has to make this one of the best places to eat in London and it will surely only be a matter of time before this restaurant is awarded multiple Michelin Stars.

La Pergola - Cavalieri Hilton, Rome

We visited Rome over the last May Bank Holiday weekend, a gift from my parents for my 40th birthday. As a surprise, my wife booked us a table for two at La Pergola, nestled up in the hills over looking Rome. La Pergola is the only three Michelin star restaurant in Rome, run by German chef Heinz Beck. It's situated on the ninth floor of the Rome Cavalieri Hilton.

Our table was booked for 8pm, probably early by Italian standards and we arrived slightly early. We were greeted by a couple of very pleasant staff who you almost looked straight past having caught the most magnificent of views across Rome, including the likes of St Peter's Basilica and The Colosseum.

We were lead to our table, a table with equally magnificent views of Rome and presented with the menu and a glass of champagne. We already knew we were going to order the tasting menu, although they have two options. The six course tasting menu or the nine course menu - not wanting to miss out on anything, we elected for the nine course menu as follows:

1. Composition of Lobster, peas and curry flavoured popped rice.
2. Terrine of Rabbit with artichoke foam and sweet and sour vegetables.
3. Fagotelli "La Pergola"
4. Squid and Scorpion fish confit in olive oil, with grilled vegetables and basil sauce.
5. Black Cod with marinated Anchovy's vinaigrette and sweet chilli pepper.
6. Escalope of Duck Foie Gras with a mushroom and cereal consomme.
7. Liquorice flavoured shoulder of Iberian Suckling Pig with herb potatoes and Taggiasca olive sauce.
8. A fine selection of cheese from the trolley
9. Grand Desert

We also ordered a bottle of Amarone della Valpolicella Monte Olmi 2004, followed by a glass of Muffato 2005 to go with our desert.

Conclusion: This is one of the finest restaurants that I've ever visited, although a large part of that has to be put down to the location and view over Rome. Rome is a beautiful place and for those lucky enough to eat at La Pergola it will only enhance your experience. A truly fantastic restaurant with amazing and interesting food and marvelous service. Well done Mr Beck!!