The Wolseley in St. James was first founded in 1921; a decadent era influenced by art deco and orientalism.

The Roaring Twenties couldn’t have been more depict when The Wolseley commissioned the Architect, William Curtis Green to design a car showroom.  Opened as a restaurant-café in November 2003, The Wolseley has never seen a dull day with a current flow of visitors from breakfast to dinner, eager to sample its dishes.  In fact in 2007 it was voted Restaurant of the Year by Tatler Restaurant Awards.

My visit to The Wolseley inaugurated many years ago when I sought rescue from the blustering winter showers of London, frozen and in need of a piping hot cup of tea and a little treat.  There was no better place to receive a traditional high tea served in the appropriately clad silver tea pot with a helping of something sweet! The Wolseley serves tea as it should in English style.  I have since become a loyal fan.

On this particular occasion, I am at the Wolseley on Wednesday night and greeted with a familiar smile and nod from Matthew the Manager. As I wait for my guest at the bar, I order a glass of their house champagne, a Pommery Brut Royal NV.  This is a decent champagne with a nice biscuity taste, as is their house white, the Chateau Haut Rian Semillon/Sauvignon 2010 Bordeaux.  Always a sign of a great establishment should their house wines be palatable, which they certainly are.

Not long before my guest arrives, we are ensconced at our table amongst the busy clientele of passing trade comprising of Mayfair socialites, ordinary people and café society. The Wolseley instinctively recognises service.  The staff are efficient, friendly and professional treating everyone as if they were a superstar.

We order our starters, Soufflé Suisse for me and my guest orders the Chopped Liver.  This follows by Seared Scallops with roast squash, sorrel and salsa verde and a Hamburger for her.  The Wolseley has a versatile menu compatibly satisfying every dietary request with an array of dishes unusual to find in one menu alone. 

I notice a couple dining on a very large pot of sausages and what resembles sauerkraut, onions and cabbage.  I enquire what they have ordered.  It is ‘Choucroute a l’Asacienne’.  One could only reminisce back to the days of Austria and Vienna with such a nostalgic choice.

My Soufflé Suisse is presented; a tower of fluffy eggs perfectly composed with just the right balance of cheese.  Moist and not dry.  My guest’s chopped liver is freshly served withgherkinsand water biscuits. Our main dishes entail.  My scallops are generously portioned, lightly cooked and soft with a more pungent sauce prepared to perfection.  Her Hamburger is medium cooked served with a salad, garnish and French Fries. To conclude, we share a ‘Chocolate Liegeois’, the ‘piece de resistance’, truly a sublime combination of vanilla and chocolate ice creams, whipped creams and bitter chocolate sauce.  An unforgettable sin.  The bitter chocolate sauce enhances this sweet/bitter amalgamation of two extremes.

The Wolseley is open seven days a week, serving breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner.  Open from 7am to midnight (Monday-Friday) and 8am to midnight (Saturday) and 8am to 11pm (Sunday).

Aurelia Bonito is a Freelance Travel Writer based in London