Jason Atherton has opened his first solo venture in this former Mayfair pub. He's keeping the idea of small dishes and promises 'fine dining with a twist'. The 60 cover restaurant has have two private dining rooms, a large bar where a tapas-style menu will be served, a gin trolley and a dessert bar.
Restaurant details
Address: 8-10 Pollen Street, London W1S 1NQ
Telephone number: 020 7290 7600
1 Michelin starNearest Station: Oxford Circus
Bar areaMap
Critic reviews - total score 7.5 out of 10
Reviewed on September 10, 2013
"...we did enjoy ourselves. And for every misstep to linger on there was always that pea starter, the hay-smoked quail, the fish main courses and that incredible banana and chocolate ice cream dessert to rest happily in our memories." READ REVIEW
Reviewed on July 27, 2011
"All we required was a table for when it was booked, maybe a martini and a good dinner. What we get is a meal composed of more misses than hits and a prolonged bout of inept and uncaring service."
READ REVIEW
READ REVIEW
Reviewed on July 23, 2011
"Atherton, formerly of Ramsay’s Maze, is not merely a sensational technical cook, he is one of those culinary alchemists who can transform what looks like base pretension on the page into solid gold in the mouth." READ REVIEW
Reviewed on June 17, 2011
"Both first courses – particularly one presented on a black plate, and featuring chilled beetroot mousse, as well as mackerel and horseradish cream – were a picture." READ REVIEW
Reviewed on May 29, 2011
"The slightly virginal theme of the accompaniments, which I suppose was intended as a counterpoint to this oily, macho fish, served rather to underline how unexciting it was." READ REVIEW
Reviewed on May 21, 2011
"Highlights early on were the smoked foie gras on a plate microdotted with little black and gold blobs of black sesame and smoked golden raisin, and a dish of cauliflower and squid on a clear roasted squid juice of El Bulli-ish inventiveness." READ REVIEW
Reviewed on May 14, 2011
"There were no low points and a competing series of highlights, among them an unbelievably good main of halibut served with a paella of extraordinary intensity." READ REVIEW
Reviewed on May 08, 2011
"The problem here isn’t that Atherton can’t cook — plainly, he’s inspired, though not plain enough, and rather too inspired. These plates suffer from the most common defect of trendy kitchens: nobody eats them before they get to the customer." READ REVIEW
Reviewed on May 07, 2011
"Max's roasted Scottish halibut, exalted by a yummy mussel sauce, twined itself around asparagus, and battled with a side-dish of Catalan paella. These were vivid and extravagant flavours I'd travel miles to experience." READ REVIEW
Reviewed on May 03, 2011
"Pollen Street Social is a work in progress and I’m giving it a maximum four stars because I believe it’s progressing toward excellence." READ REVIEW
Reviewed by May 01, 2011
"It's been a slow-cooked curate's egg of a meal. I want to come back to sip a cocktail and eat Dingley Dell pork cheek tapas at the bar. Or save up to make the most of the very good wine list and a simple starter and main in the restaurant." READ REVIEW
Reviewed on April 28, 2011
"The atmosphere is relaxed, but the effort that has gone into creating this elegant, very metropolitan restaurant is clear. Everything moves with a slick efficiency and confidence both behind the pass and front of house." READ REVIEW
Reviewed on April 21, 2011
"There is so much that is positive about Pollen Street Social. It is brimming over with gastronomic ideas... But the lower ranks of staff need to loosen up and go with the flow." READ REVIEW
Reviewed on April 20, 2011
"Serving food of this quality in a venue that doesn't stand on ceremony should ensure that Atherton not only keeps his legion of fans happy, but also attracts a whole new horde too." READ REVIEW
