By Katie Wilson
Alex Webb started out washing pots at his local restaurant when he was 14 years old.
Now 27, the Essex-born chef has opened his first solo restaurant, two years after being crowned the 2020 winner of MasterChef: The Professionals.
His debut dining room – Alex Webb on Park Lane – can be found at the five-star InterContinental hotel in Mayfair, opposite Hyde Park.
Although it looks out onto busy Piccadilly, there is something soothing about sitting at the chic bar as the traffic goes past.
Choose from bar stools or Mid Century armchairs as you enjoy an aperitif. If fizz is your tipple, it will be brought over in a decadent champagne trolley.
The main restaurant at Alex Webb on Park Lane is a vision in teal blue, which you get to through a stylish custom made room divider.
Confident of the space he wants to create, Alex has had as much input into the restaurant interiors as the food. Look for the blue peacocks on the walls and original artworks from family members. Even the velvet jacket the sommelier wore was from Alex’s own wardrobe.
Fans of MasterChef will be glad to know some of Alex’s signature dishes, which helped him win the show, are on the menu.
Choose from three types of tasting menus – two-courses (£35pp), four-courses (£75pp) or seven courses (£110pp) – all inspired by nostalgic flavours from his childhood.
The opening dish, Cheesy Chester’s Puff, was the first thing Alex cooked in primary school, and the Bread and Yeasted Butter with edible flowers is served with a poem his grandfather used to recite.
His winning Cod and White Bean Cassoulet is on the starters. While his signature Chalk Stream Trout with Parsnip, Parsley, Mussel and Caviar Cream Sauce features on the mains.
Other menu highlights include Lobster Toast, Red Mullet with Watermelon and Alex’s triumphant dessert, Passion Fruit Parfait with Popping Candy. Webb’s Chocolate Bar with Tree Cake and Milk Ice Cream, also on the pudding menu, is Alex’s take on a Twix.
There is the option to add a four-course wine (£35pp) pairing to your meal, and we liked there is a cider pairing (£25pp), which you don’t often see on a menu. Alex even has his own signature blended cider from Sandford Orchard for guests to try.
Signature cocktails (£16 each) include Chef Webb, made from Earl-grey infused Beefeater Gin, lemon-balm-ginger-honey syrup, lemon, egg white and strawberry.
While the Jennifer cocktail – gin, apricot liqueur, coconut cream, lemon and celery bitters – is a sweet nod to his mum.
In a nice touch, if you’ve got room after dessert, Alex invites guests to visit the sweet trolley on their way home.
Best for: Dates, special occasions, tasting menus
Alex Webb on Park Lane is open for dinner Wednesday and Thursday 5.30pm to 11.30pm, and Friday and Saturday for lunch 12pm to 4pm and dinner 5.30pm to 11.30pm (last orders 10pm)
A two-course tasting menu is £35pp, four-courses are £75pp, and seven courses are £110pp
Book a table at Alex Webb on Park Lane here
Read next: The new UK restaurants to book now
Read next: Best afternoon teas in London
Comments are closed.