A busy Friday night at the Dante bar takeover of Claridge's Restaurant
What's all this about then?
This summer, there's been a NY-LON collaboration going on between hot NYC bar Dante and grande dame hotel Claridge's in London. Originally scheduled as a takeover for just a few weeks it's been such a hit that they've now extended it to 29 August. It all sounded like quite the scene so we thought we'd better head to Mayfair to check it out.
Who exactly are Dante?
Much like Claridge's Dante are - particularly for New York - a City classic, having been around since 1915. They're a regular fixture at the top of various world's best bars lists plus they're also heating things up back in the Big Apple with new ventures in the West Village and Nolita this summer.
And which space have they taken over at Claridge's?
The summer collaboration has seen Dante take over the whole of Claridge's Restaurant, including the restaurant's bar. It's a full-scale takeover, too, including some gorgeous Amalfi-focused artworks by David Yarrow that are so beautiful we'd love them to stay on the walls here.
Just one of the David Yarrow Prints we'd like to have taken home with us...
So is it a bar thing or a restaurant thing?
Both really. The food menu is now 50/50 Dante and Claridge's dishes but obviously cocktails are the big deal here, so there's a full roster of drinks on offer.
Let's start with those drinks...
As they do in New York the drinks list is split into a seasonal section with some special summer serves, along with an edit of the signature cocktails you'd find across the pond.
The Garibaldi with Campari and Dante’s famous ‘fluffy’ orange juice (£15). In New York, Dante have committed to keeping the costs of their cocktails down, so it's good to see a well-priced option on their London menu too.
Martinis are a big thing on the Dante menu. For the Claridge's residency, they've brought over four of their signature serves. This is their Dirty Martini (£22) - they describe it as "a subtle olive Martini" where the vodka has been washed with Ravida, Sicilian olive oil.
What about the food?
The food menu is a host of American favourites. We only managed a few dishes, but we'd happily go back to try their legendary burger or maybe their NY strip steak.
Dante's signature burrata (£12) served with slow roasted heirloom tomatoes, and toasted sourdough - honestly, this is a textbook example of how great a burrata and tomato salad can be.
Shrimp cocktail with horseradish cocktail sauce (£27)
Dante's chicken alla diavola (half for £34) served with green goddess dressing - this is a huge portion but we were fighting over the last bits of this wood-roasted chicken with that divine sauce making a good foil to the punchy marinade.
Room for dessert?
We were tapped out at this point, but we could be tempted back for the extensive array of dessert cocktails, or the soft serve sundae with olive oil, candied fudges and pecans.
Overall thoughts:
Given how buzzing Claridge's restaurant was post 10pm on a Friday night, it's clear that the Dante summer residency at Claridge's has been a massive hit. The place was absolutely packed, with no signs of anyone buying into that 'no one in London does late dining anymore' idea. And as this has been extended to the end of summer, you've got no excuse not to get your booking sorted out pronto.
More about Dante at Claridge's
Where is it? Claridge's Restaurant, Brook St, London W1K 4HR
When: The residency runs until 29 August 2025
Find out more: Visit their website or follow them on Instagram @claridgeshotel.
Hot Dinners dined as guests of Claridge's. Prices correct at time of publication.
Subscribe to be the first to get the news from Hot Dinners
