Elizabeth H.
Google
The restaurant is inside the Conrad Hotel, near St James Underground station.
I chose the 2 course set lunch menu which was £35. Rather than picking 2 courses from the á la carte menu the set menu features special dishes that change seasonally (although the vegetarian option was on the main menu.)
After being greeted promptly and seated, I was offered water and brought some home made wholemeal bread accompanied by whipped butter with a herb oil. The butter was delicious, soft and salty and the bread warm. I could've easily made a meal of it on its own!
I opted for the spring salad and roast chicken, and that description doesn't begin to do it justice. Everything was beautifully presented, the salad looked like a work of art with tiny edible flowers scattered across it. I'm not sure my photos show how good it looked.
My server described the dishes and ingredients as they arrived, which I normally hate, but this was done in a helpful and informative way. The chicken was presented two ways; as ballatine with panko breadcrumbs and as a slice of thigh with lovely crispy skin, I wasn't sure about the inclusion of nettles when I read the menu but everything was delicious. Both the salad and the chicken were excellent and the portion size good (I was offered the dessert menu but regretfully I didn't have room to do it justice.)
I chose a glass of white wine to go with my meal and the sommelier was very helpful as my wine knowledge is pretty much none existent. For central London the price of wine by the glass wasn't bad, it started at £12 for 125ml/£15 for 175ml. The wine was a new one to me and delicious, but I didn't think to note the name and now can't remember it.
Throughout the meal the service was professional and friendly without being intrusive and I was addressed by name, which I thought was a lovely touch. It was the first time I'd been to The Pem but they made me feel like I was favourite guest.
For the high level of food and service, and the atmosphere in the restaurant I thought it was very good value.