The Wallace Restaurant is located inside the Wallace Collection art gallery. This modern European brasserie is flooded with natural light on a glass-covered patio that makes it feel like a place to eat al fresco.
The Wallace restaurant is operated by Peyton and Byrne and is a true gem. What’s not to like about dining with great food near exquisite arts, porcelain, and furniture?
It is reached through the main entrance of The Wallace Collection. Don’t be surprised when gallery staff order you to bring your bag to the wardrobe, it happens every time I’m there, even with the smallest of bags. Just tell them that you are going to the restaurant and then you can put your belongings away.
Part of the patio space is a cafeteria, so you can stop by for a drink without reservation, and the rest of the space is occupied by the restaurant.
As part of The Wallace Collection Centennial Project in 2000, the museum acquired a variety of new facilities, including this elegant covered patio restaurant. This double height atrium in the heart of the building reminds me of the Winter Garden at The Landmark Hotel.
The walls are salmon pink and there are also plenty of tables for two and larger tables available. Tables are decorated with a flower arrangement and glasses of water are served when you sit down.
The Wallace is managed by Peyton and Byrne, who also run The National Dining Rooms at The National Gallery in Trafalgar Square and Inn The Park in St. James’s Park, in addition to many others.
Tea options
We chose the English afternoon tea, which is served from a full three-tier pastry stand, but you can also choose a creamy tea (scone with cream and clotted preserves), or a Cornish cream tea that is made up of a scones. and sandwiches.
If you want to celebrate a special occasion, you can also add a glass of champagne.
The tea
I was very impressed with the large selection of teas on offer and the staff were able to offer advice to help us make a decision. I chose the elderflower and ginger infusion which was naturally sweet and delicious. My partner chose the Earl Gray Bluestar, which was also very good.
Tea is served in a black china teapot with a stand. (Quick tip: keep the kettle handle up or it gets too hot if it leans against the pot.) The tableware is completely white.
Additional hot water was offered without asking, which is always a sign that the staff understand the quality of the tea they serve.
Cake stand
The three tier silver cake stand cleverly features side plates instead of dinner plates, meaning we could easily fit two cake stands on a small table. I hadn’t seen these thin pie stands before and thought they were a great idea.
Sandwiches
We received four sandwiches with white and brown bread. Standard sandwiches include ham, smoked salmon, chicken, and cucumber, but I was able to order vegetarian options without a problem.
To add interest to the tasty dish, the cucumber sandwich had wasabi butter that tasted a bit like mustard but with a bigger kick.
Sweet layers
In the middle layer of the cake stand, each diner receives a very large homemade muffin with small pots of cream and strawberry jam. The bun was still warm after we finished the sandwiches and it cut without crumbs.
The top layer of the cake stand is for the candies and we had three each. Had a lemon meringue pie, white chocolate cheesecake, and a chocolate raspberry heart, but of course this can vary.
Conclution
I had heard a lot of good things about afternoon tea at The Wallace and I have to agree. We were there for about an hour, but we’d had a lot to drink and eat and we certainly didn’t feel rushed.
The service was excellent and the staff were very friendly and efficient. The whole experience felt wonderfully indulgent at an unbelievably good price. This is a place that I would definitely recommend and I hope to return many times.
Afternoon tea information
Lugar:
The Wallace Restaurant
The Wallace Collection
Hertford House
Manchester Square
Londres W1U 3BN
Nearest Tube Station: Bond Street, on the Central and Jubilee lines
Use Journey Planner or Citymapper to plan your route on public transportation.
Days and times: seven days a week.
2.30pm-4.30pm (last reservation 4pm)
Cost: from £ 6.50 per person for cream tea
Dress code: smart casual.
Reservations Tel: 020 7563 9505
Photography: Allowed. The staff will help you.
Children: welcome.
Official Website: www.peytonandbyrne.co.uk/the-wallace-restaurant/
As is common in the travel industry, the writer received ancillary services for review purposes. While you have not influenced this review, TripSavvy believes in full disclosure of all potential conflicts of interest. For more information, see our Ethics Policy.
