Don’t let the location fool you – this isn’t what you’d normally expect from Mayfair dining. Gridiron by COMO is helmed by some serious names: with Colin McSherry (The Clove Club) in the kitchen, Max and Noel Venning (Three Sheets) on cocktails, Lucy Ward (Noble Rot) on wine and Liam Davy (Bad Sports) leading service. Forget stuffy, formal dining, here it’s laid back vibes and contemporary British dishes cooked on an open fire. The food here is simple and hearty. Don’t mistake simple for light, though – Gridiron serves up comforting, robust plates – we opted for scallops in XO sauce and charred leeks (our favourite) to start, and then the venison and the turbot. If you can, take your time here and have snacks and cocktails first – the smoked duck sausage was one of our favourites, especially when paired with a pickled onion martini (trust us).
