Rules
Rules is the oldest restaurant in London. Established in 1798, Rules is decked out like a hunting lodge. Pictures of British statesmen, rifles, and deer heads adorn the walls, while the menu offers British classics. The suited and booted waiters and front of house strive to give this restaurant an air of glamour, as though this is the most British of British establishments. No small wonder then that you get a mixed clientele of well-to-do tourists curious as to what British "tradition" looks like, as well as elder gentlemen in tweed jackets with shoulder pads.
Though I'm not really fond of the look (it doesn't scream authentic to me, not like The Ritz. This is a little too put-upon), I was eager to try the food given that it continues to grace the Michelin guide (though, I should be clear, does not hold a star).
I went for a main course and a dessert, with my main course being a chicken, leek and mushroom pie, along with mashed potatoes (pomme puree) on the side. The main took a rather long time to arrive (around 45 minutes), though when it came it was piping hot. The mashed potatoes were soft and buttery, and though the pie certainly didn't skimp on chicken, neither was it particularly flavourful.
For dessert, I had the sticky toffee pudding. The toffee sauce was rich and of a slightly thin consistency, while the pudding was somewhat dense, preventing the sauce from seeping through past the upper layer. Not a bad dessert per sé, but by no means the best sticky toffee pudding I've had.
Overall, I don't think I can truly recommend Rules. While it isn't particularly expensive, neither is any of it particularly laudable. For an equally priced but more enjoyable dining experience that draws from homely french cooking, I'd go to Brasserie Zedel any day of the week.
Value for money? Around £45 for a main course, side, dessert, still water, and service charge. Hardly the most expensive meal, but none of it was particularly delicious.
Would I return? No. There are certainly better.
