Bentley’s Oyster Bar & Grill
Mayfair, London
Billed as ‘the grand dame of Swallow Street’, Bentley’s has been in the oyster trade since 1916 and is still shucking bivalves with a vengeance under the stewardship of chef/patron Richard Corrigan. These days, regulars agree that its two great assets are the ground-floor Oyster Bar and the spacious gem of a terrace on Swallow Street itself (heated and covered for year-round bonhomie). If you’re indoors, the best seats are indubitably at the marble-topped bar counter, where you can watch the chefs expertly flashing their thick-bladed oyster knives and doing the business on natives and rocks from places as far apart as Donegal, Oban and Jersey (have them au naturel, dressed or as ‘hot rocks’). Otherwise, squeeze into one of the close-packed tables for a more formal piscine blowout – perhaps langoustines with ponzu and pink grapefruit followed by a plate of lobster spaghetti or roasted hake with ‘seashore shells’ and seaweed. Staples such as fish and chips, fish pie and Bentley’s handsome shellfish platters are also big sellers, while pudding might usher in surprisingly modern confections such as Japanese cheesecake with damson compote or popcorn caramel with burnt-almond ice cream. The classy fish-friendly wine list is priced for Mayfair’s big spenders, although it does offer some excellent bargains by the glass.
Dining Information:
Private dining room, Separate bar, Counter seating, Outdoor dining, Wheelchair access, Dog friendly, Credit card required
11-15 Swallow Street, Mayfair W1B 4DG
020 7734 4756
