Bonheur by Matt Abé

I tried the Dream menu and the food was strong overall. The dishes were well balanced and nicely layered. The beef was excellent and the signature chocolate cake was easily the highlight, probably my favourite dessert so far this year. Service felt a bit underwhelming for a Michelin two star though. The drinks were the biggest issue for me! I was driving so couldn’t drink, but the non alcohol options were surprisingly limited. Only two mocktails and both were quite poor, otherwise it was basically fizzy drinks. For a restaurant at this level I would expect a proper non alcohol pairing. The room and lighting are lovely, but the music felt a bit out of place. It sounded like a Spotify UK Top 50 playlist, Coldplay, Adele, Harry Styles and so on, which didn’t quite match the setting. I might come back once they’ve been open a bit longer and see how it develops.

Superb food, the favours and presentation was right up there with the best I have eaten. Service was not really up to Michelin star scratch, from the start we felt rushed to be seated despite the restaurant being less than half full. Sommelier also friendly but didn’t hit the target with the first white and hadn’t opened the reds to let them breathe. Picky details but the restaurant is two stars. Shame as the food was incredible.

We opted for the Drama menu, and the food itself was genuinely impressive – refined, well executed and certainly deserving of its two Michelin stars. However, as Michelin stars ultimately reflect the entire dining experience, there are a few aspects that felt somewhat misaligned with that level. The wine pairing was particularly disappointing. Many of the selections leaned heavily towards a smoky profile. Unfortunately the drinks themselves were not especially enjoyable. The sommelier was polite but rather unremarkable in both attitude and guidance. Interestingly, we also overheard the neighbouring table expressing similar views about the wine pairing. The music choice also felt somewhat out of step with the setting. The playlist leaned quite heavily into mainstream pop (Harry Styles, Lola Young, etc.), which made the atmosphere feel less refined than one might expect in a two-star Michelin restaurant. The service overall was perfectly pleasant, but it didn’t quite reach the level of polish typically associated with this calibre of establishment. At times staff spoke very quietly, which made it difficult to follow the explanations of the dishes. To be clear, the food itself was excellent, but the surrounding elements of the experience could benefit from a little more consideration.

Matt Abe and his team are operating at a level that feels undeniably three-star worthy. In my experience, the restaurant has risen above many establishments that already hold the highest accolades. Every detail, from technique to execution, reflects a maturity and confidence that only comes from a kitchen truly at the top of its craft. The cooking shows clarity of vision, precision, and restraint, allowing exceptional ingredients to speak while still delivering moments of genuine creativity. What stands out most is consistency. Course after course, the experience feels intentional, balanced, and deeply refined. Having had the privilege to visit multiple three-star restaurants, I can honestly say this experience belongs in that conversation, and in several ways surpasses it. If Michelin is looking for sustained excellence, identity, and a meal worth traveling for, Matt Abe and his team have already arrived.

Dinner at most stylish, basement restaurant in Mayfair. This is Chef Matt Abe's new solo restaurant. We're not going go into what it used to be or who the landlord is🤣 It's Matt's dream which of course we had to have the Dream tasting menu. There is a shorter one,Journey or A la carte. We started in the bar for pre-dinner drinks. Then we were led downstairs to our table. With a view of the kitchen which had a door swishing open like something off Star Trek. At start of service Chef Matt brought out a selection of delightfully tasty canapes. The starter was the very pretty Celeriac Royale. Which preceded some incredible dishes of the finest quality and presentation. Every dish was gastronomy at it's best and to chose a favourite would be impossible. If you twisted our arm it would have to be the Isle of Sky Scallop and Cumbrian Blue Grey. We were lucky to get one the hottest tickets in the city. Thank you to Matt and his kitchen team. As well as Matthew and his army of front house for making this a truly memorable experience. We're sure the tyre people will be along shortly to give their approval.

Incredible meal at a Michelin star ready restaurant. On the former site of La Gavroche Bonheur had big shoes to fill and my goodness it did. Rising to the occasion with refined classical cooking. Service was impeccable with waiters being charming and knowledgeable. Every detail perfect. The dining room is elegant and comfortable. The distance between tables makes it feel private and you are not rushed in the slightest. An expensive night out but worth every penny. Would 10/10 recommend for a celebratory night out.

AMAZING! As soon as we arrived, we was welcomed with a really friendly doorman, a lovely lady who took our coats, showed me where the guessed room was, and sat as down in a lovely lounge, Then we were taken to our table so light refreshing, airy, cosy, and really comfortable, the decor was absolutely fantastic. All the staff was so friendly so chatty, and just really down to earth, I had a birthday card on the table, for me, very very thoughtful, and everyone had signed this, including the top man himself. We started of with a fabulous glass of their own champagne, the Henri Giraud Cuvee, then canapés, fantastic, as so much work had gone into each and everyone, after we had the amuse bouche a delicate beef layer, and stock on the top, so intense in the flavour, out of this world. We then had a celeriac Royale, which looked too good to eat, and so many intricate flavours, with the perfectly formed caviar on the top, then we had the scallops, with kind of citrus orangey flavours, with Kosho, apparently, a lot of different flavours, combined together to give the wow factor, and perfectly balanced. Next we had the quail blanquette, which was a pink bird and was delicately, covered with the cream and butter, and then striped with black garlic. We was bought some bread in between the course, again, lighter than air, just like a fluffy, cloud. Monk fish was after with pumpkin, butter milk and rapeseed, which was like a custard, but combined was immense. Then the steak, again with intense flavour because this had 125 days of being aged, and a beautifully rendered piece of beef fat. Yum ! We also had a special truffle dish to share, again phenomenal. And not much more room we had 2 desserts, a very refreshing apple with calverdos and cazzette crumble, And then a pecan praline, with coffee flavours inside soo creamy and again soo well balanced, Then they bought out a lovely doughnut cake, with chocolate and gold leaf on top and chocolate inside for my birthday, and a candle on top, an added extra,. And very very kind, as they all must of had enough cooking to do. Then petite 4s, all scrumy flavours, and was suggested a nice mint tea, again so awesome, so clear so minty refreshing and tasty. We also had lovely wine pairing with every course perfectly thought out by the sommelier Eric, a lovely Gentleman, and to finish another champagne which Again was fortified, which had flavours of orange cherry and cinnamon Really lovely. So we give 100 stars for this fantastic find, and if their are others that give not good reviews, seriously we’ve been and seen, and it is Absolutely perfect. !!!! We could not fault 1 dish, all were just so beautiful, All the chefs are soo soo talented and have soo much patience, amazing, from meeting Matt, Matthew, Olivia, Eric, Andrea, and the whole team, You all have gifts of talent, you’re all very very blessed to be working with such a talented, down to earth man as Matt. We would come back tomorrow, after our dinner had gone down. But this was a special treat for me, from my husband. So THANKYOU again to all, The caring Doorman, which we met, to the lovely lady who took and coats, the impeccable inside, rest room, and all who work their. I’m sure soon you will have 3 Michelin Stars. We’re glad we got to go now before it’s always full. Thanks Again Lucy & John X

Refined. Relaxed. Refreshing. Overview Bonheur has a lot to live up to and in every aspect, it truly surpasses all expectations. With a refreshing approach to fine dining where it does not feel stuffy, hectic, or daunting. Matt and the team have created a tranquil relaxed experience which is very approachable with perfectly refined and executed food (and wine!). Forget the past of La Gavroche, this is Bonheur and its here to stay! Food Having elected for the chef's table, we were treated to the 'dream menu' teamed with the wine pairing. This is one of the rare restaurants where every dish is unique, thoughtfully put together, and executed to perfection. The textures and variety in each dish is delightful., Take the Isle of Skye Scallop for example, which in itself is cooked beautifully, but when teamed with the carrot to add that extra crunch texture, really elevates the dish. You can also see where Matt is bringing his personality into the dishes, I mean, to have a dessert where one of the inspirations is the milk you get from cocoa pops highlights their fun, relaxed, and refreshing approach to fine dining! All this demonstrates how Matt and the team have already refined these dishes! Wine The pairings here really match the food. There are some really interesting pairings which help highlight the food, take the Oregon Pinot Noir which really matches the quail, or the Australian Viognier which was delightful with the monkfish! The Sommelier team here aren't afraid to step away from the traditional grand marquis and really think about what will pair well with the food and give wine lovers something new to experience. Once again, refreshing and refined much like the food. Service & Staff Flawless. There is a real relaxed atmosphere here, the decor that Bonheur has gone for really reflects Matt's roots, and those warm colours help give the relaxed and approachable feeling you have here. Staff are attentive whilst being very welcoming. We felt very comfortable in chatting and making jokes with the whole team. Toilets Always nice to see a place that thinks about how the restrooms should also match the experience. Whilst an on thing to comment on, the toilets share the same warm tones and decor, down to even the shape of the countertops, of the Le Lebo soap to make you feel that the whole experience has truly been thought through end to end.