Jutting through Mayfair’s southern flank, you’ll find Dover Street. On Dover Street, you’ll find The Dover. And inside The Dover, you’ll find a little haven of hospitality & style.
The place itself is the work of Martin Kuczmarski, who worked as the COO of Soho House for over a decade. Here, he wanted to create something that was relaxed yet still elegant, and he’s pretty much nailed it.
Step inside, and you’ll find a sleeve of a bar with beautiful zebra-striped wood that’s been polished to a mirror sheen. Lovely cocktails are helped down with bowls of complimentary popcorn and smooth playlists from the nearby vinyl player. You can stop here for a drink, or you can head straight through to the gorgeous dining area, where the ceiling forms a dark mahogany canopy bending over the diners like a protective arm. Every table has a candle, and every candle sits on white tablecloth.
The food leans towards the New York style of Italian, with plenty of the classics, like spaghetti & meatballs, Italian sausage pie, and arancini. It’s all perfectly nice, if not earth shattering. But if you want a treat, go for the beef arrosto & mash. It’s a plate of thinly sliced roast beef surrounding a beautifully creamy dollop of silky mashed potato, and covered in red wine sauce. It’s like comfort food taken to a new level.
To wash it all down there are plenty of wines, and some lovely cocktails from that bar. Which you’ll have to pass on your way out as well…
NOTE: The Dover is open now, Tuesday to Saturday. You can find out more, and make a booking at their website right here.
The Dover | 33 Dover St, W1S 4NF
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