Homage at The Waldorf Hilton

 

Homage is located in one of the stately ballrooms of the Waldorf Hilton right next to Covent Garden. As you might expect, it is a prestige restaurant which has set itself very high standards in the preparation and service of Mediterranean cuisine, although the prices are surprisingly reasonable (with a few honourable exceptions including side dishes). My companion for the evening was suitably impressed by the old world beauty of the setting and the immaculate manners of the waiting staff, although we did find it a little quiet. Perhaps this place is more suited to a quiet dinner with a wealthy aunt than a raucous reunion with an old friend. Anyway, it's very swish. The food more than matched the setting. I actually stole my friend's wild mushroom brioche, inventively presented and creamily delicious. My tomato and mozzarella salad spoke of superior ingredients but wasn't as much fun. For our mains, a grilled Dover Sole was excellent, full of flavour and slightly crunchy, though my friend reckoned the boning was 'a bit dodgy'. My fillet steak was absolutely superb, and accompanied by some bursting garlic mushrooms and lovely buttery spinach. Chocolate fondant poured out delicious aromas and a vast creme brulee was devoured in minutes. Homage isn't the best Francophile restaurant in the West End, but it looks lovely and delivers a thoroughly satisfying meal for a price that won't ruin you. Well worth a visit.