NOTE: Pollen Street Social will close its doors on 31st July 2024.
If your relationship with the boss ever feels strained, then spare a thought for a man who trained under Marco Pierre White.
And then spent 9 years working for Gordon “The Fury” Ramsay.
However since going it alone, things very quickly began to look up for Jason Atherton, with his dream of creating a “design your own dining” experience just off Regent Street – in the form of Pollen Street Social – being quickly realised.
And then celebrated, by everyone – including the Michelin man, who bestowed a Michelin star upon it 6 months later.
Jason Atherton has since opened dozens more restaurants, not just in London (Social Eating House is particularly worth dropping by), but as far afield as Hong Kong and Shanghai. Here, though, is where it all started, and should you head along to Pollen Street Social, you’ll first perch at the bar for a signature cocktail – perhaps the Ten Pollen, with gin, wild dill pollen, grapefruit, vermouth and “fake olives”, or their hand-picked gin of the month with tonic. There you can also enjoy sharing plates from the tapas menu that include Ginger Pig pork terrine and Dingley Dell pork cheeks with black pudding and beans.
Alternatively, if you’re looking for something a little more substantial, you can take a seat in the main Pollen Street Social restaurant.
In the restaurant you can enjoy as many or as few combinations as you’d like from three menus – the vegetarian (with dishes like braised white asparagus, cep purée and sea vegetables); the set tasting menu (with Jersey rock oyster ice cream); or the regular à la carte, which comprises not-so-regular dishes like roasted partridge with mulled beetroot and mead reduction; whole roasted duck for two; braised snails with mushroom woodland rice; and jellied eel with fennel and apple.
You know, the usual.
Nab a stool at the dessert bar after your main course and you’ll enjoy your desserts, like the lemon, lime and olive oil sponge, with honey crackling and basil sorbet, being prepared for (and presented to) you there and then.
So they’ll let you have your cake and eat it.
NOTE: Pollen Street Social is open for lunch and dinner, Monday-Saturday – you can reserve a table right HERE. If the à la carte menu looks a bit pricey then go for the set lunch menu (3 courses for £39.50).
OTHER NOTE: Jason Atherton has announced that Pollen Street Social is set to close on July 31st 2024.
Pollen Street Social | 8-10 Pollen Street, W1S 1NQ
Like great restaurants? Check out our guide to the best restaurant in every London neighbourhood