Mayfair does restaurants a certain way and food is not always top of the agenda
Although we entered Hora, a new spot on Dover Street, with slight trepidation when we saw the full-on DJ booth and heard the banging soundtrack, we were happy to discover some seriously good cooking here – and at a not too unfriendly price point either (for Mayfair). The kitchen is led by Executive Chef John Skotidas, whose unique Asian heritage, South American roots, and Greek upbringing, somehow come together into one coherent, tasty menu.
Eat This
Start with the sourdough and focaccia breads, served with Kalamata olive grissini and an excellent burnt hoisin butter; and the cured cod’s roe mousse topped with crispy potato.
Next up, get the tuna tartare with jalapeño ponzu and truffle, and tomato salad with feta mousse and carob rusk – both fresh, super tasty dishes.
We finished on three absolute bangers: smoked eel in an egg and lemon sauce with white asparagus and kaffir lime; a show-stopping sea urchin linguine with bottarga and lemongrass (also available with a dollop of caviar); and lamb tsukune glistening in caul fat and with an egg yolk on the side for dipping – potentially the best dish of the night.
Drink This
For a high-end Mayfair spot, the team have created a very approachable wine list at fair prices. We had a bottle of the 2023 Malagouizia / Assyrtico Thymiopoulos at £50 which was a perfect match for dinner.
Why Go
If you’re looking for a bit of a Mayfair party restaurant but don’t want to sacrifice on the food, Hora is a perfect solution. And it’s still worth checking out for foodies too – just get in early before the music gets pumped up too loud!
Key Information
Address | 28-29 Dover St, London W1S 4NA
For more information | horarestaurants.com
