hush - Mayfair

A tranquil courtyard overlooking Lancashire Court is the setting for hush, a chic, luxurious venue, which is also one of the few restaurants in Mayfair with al fresco dining.

hush (the lower case is intentional) is rapidly becoming one of the hottest places in town and combines the virtues of brasserie, restaurant and cocktail lounge bar with private dining and even a wine boutique.

Most of the action takes place in the ground-floor brasserie, with its cool limestone floors and warm spice colours. The menu is an eclectic mix of classic and modern ideas ranging from eggs Benedict and steamed mussels with chips to organic salmon sashimi with hot sesame oil and rump of Welsh lamb with baked sweet potatoes and baby onions – not forgetting the classic 'hush hamburger'.

On the first floor is 'Le Club', a sophisticated restaurant focusing on contemporary French cooking with a few rustic touches. Here you might find seared foie gras with potato rösti, orange and Cointreau, as well as cassoulet and chateaubriand, rounded off with desserts such as pannacotta with baked rhubarb in mulled wine.

Also part of the courtyard complex is 'Le Cave', a wine boutique specialising in rare and fine vintages: this serves as a shop, and can be hired for tastings and entertaining. Alternatively, book 'Strictly' on the second floor for private functions.