Restaurant Review #13 - Marcus

Hi everyone,

Several months ago I had the pleasure of dining at the former 2 Michelin star establishment: Marcus. Located at the luxurious Berkeley Hotel in Knightsbridge, this restaurant specialises in fine dining. Despite it having recently lost one of its Michelin Stars, Marcus remains a treat for anyone who wishes to have a culinary experience. It is priced at the higher end as expected, so it's best to keep this experience for a special occasion. Many that dine here do so because of the famous chef Marcus Wareing as he is regularly involved in the running of this restaurant. As you are seated in the well spaced restaurant, pleasant waiters keep you informed on the menu and are very attentive to your needs. To start, we had freshly baked sourdough bread. It was definitely a good way to open the appetite.

The menu at Marcus changes regularly so make sure to keep informed. They attempt to use fresh produce primarily from the U.K. The British isles have long had a reputation for having bad food but this is certainly changing. For instance, the starter at Marcus contained fresh vegetables that were cooked in a savoury manner. Despite it being a small portion, the flavours you experience captures your attention. 

What followed was a risotto, made with local ingredients and having fragrant flavours. What was evident from this restaurant was the use of primarily British ingredients that are cooked in contemporary ways. This reminded me of modern British cuisine and Marcus certainly emphasises this point by the plates it offers. 

Next was the main course, which was British beef. It was served with a small bed of seasonal vegetables, some gravy and a twist on baked potatoes. Their take on Sunday roast was well made and had a touch of excellence which is to be expected from higher end restaurants. I would have liked a dinner table presentation as this seemed appropriate. Nevertheless it was still very well cooked and difficult to fault. 

Finally, the evening ended with dessert. It was a nice end to a pleasant meal, the dessert was a mousse with 'adult' flavours that centred on cherries. After the meal, it seemed that my enthusiasm for food was picked up by the waiters as we got invited for a tour of the kitchen. Similar to Restaurant Gordon Ramsay, you are walked by the kitchen and get to see the chefs' work. Despite it being quite pricey, Marcus to proved to be a very pleasant dining experience. However, due to it's high price point, I believe that perhaps it is best to first visit other more notable restaurants first. 

Price: Top Tier

Food: British Fine-Dining

Service: Very Pleasant 

Rating: 4/5

Fun Fact: Marcus Wareing is a celebrity chef that rose to fame by being Gordon Ramsay's sous chef and protégé for 15 years.