Beating the Winter Blues at Harvey Nichols Fifth Floor Café in Knightsbridge: A Seasonal Feasting Menu Dinner

Some of you may not realise, but Harvey Nichols is riddled with history. The brand dates back to 1831 which first came to life as a linen shop in a terraced house on the corner of Knightsbridge and Sloane Street in London. In 1835, the shop expanded next door, and would continue to expand over the following years. It wasn’t until Benjamin Harvey died in 1850, which left the business to his wife Anne, who went into partnership with James Nichols to form Harvey Nichols & Co. By 1889, the existing space was demolished to make way for one large department store as we all know and love it as today. More importantly, it was in 1975 when a restaurant called Harvey’s opened on the fifth floor, now known as the Harvey Nichols Café.

Due to popular demand, the Harvey Nichols Winter Dining Menu is back once again for 2018 and its aim is to keep customers feeling warm & happy during the winter months with a feast of seasonal delights. The exclusive menu, offers customers three delicious courses and a cocktail for just £27 which is available until 28th February 2018. We started with a Grey Goose Classic “Le Grand Fizz” cocktail which was delicious, through perhaps a more Winter inspired cocktail would have made more sense.

A bottle of delicious Harvey Nichols Corbieres Rose wine later and we tucked into our choice from the starters which we both couldn’t resist. A simple, but very effective plate of toasted crostini topped with smashed avocado and both freshly sliced & crunchy thin wafers of Parma ham. A delicious way to start our meal, and also very balanced. Always a bonus for January. Service during our time here was immaculate too.

Created using ingredients sourced regionally, each menu is bespoke to its location and so customers can choose between a choice of three starters, three mains and three desserts. For our mains we ordered what are probably two very classic dishes and are such real Winter warmers. Some very smoky smoked haddock with crushed new potatoes and chervil sauce, as well as a fine piece of braised duck leg with Umbrian lentils and game jus. The latter was absolutely delicious. Juicy, rich and incredibly satisfying.

For my dessert I couldn’t resist the fragrant exotic tart, served with balls of juicy melon and a home-made lime sorbet. I was perhaps expecting a slice of cake at first which with a nice glossy top may have been perhaps more impressive to look at, but what was received on the plate was absolutely packed with flavour. The medley of acidity, tropical flavours and multitude of textures made for a winning dessert. 

Quality wise our other dessert selection of the cheese board was in impressive flavour wise, but I did feel this was prepared a little too early as the edges were a little darker than the middles. That said the flavour of each gave a lot and so if they simply prepared the cheese board to order, they’d be onto a winner. I really loved the chutney too.

After some lovely desserts we couldn’t resist taking a little time out from the Winter Feast Menu and on to the Harvey Nichols terrace. The current instalment on this department stores fabulous terrace is in conjunction with Grey Goose who have turned the space into Café De Nuit. Order the Espresso Martini, laced with Grey Goose vodka and served with a couple of petit fours. Delicious.

We had a lovely evening dining here at Harvey Nichols and it’s a great pit stop for a cosy dinner or simply to refuel yourself over lunch after a little too much shopping. Some improvements can be made to the food, but all rather minor – especially at just £27 for three courses and a cocktail. To book your table and find out more simply click HERE!

NB: My meal was complimentary. All views are as always, my own. My views are not influenced by anyone other than my own palate and slightly poor eyesight.