The email was addressed to Noble Rot Friends and Family; it was a first-come-first-served invitation to the brand new Mayfair soft launch. Happily, at 7:23pm on a Friday, I was still slaving over a hot keyboard and replied in seconds.

Just days later, Handsome Husband (HH) and I strolled the lanes of Mayfair’s once infamous red-light district, arriving at No 5 Trebeck Street on time. Outside, the familiar branding and bold autumnal notes of Noble Rot décor greeted us. Within, the carefully planned interior maximises covers without crowding – a dark art rarely mastered by many restaurateurs. Once seated, the very faint perfume of fresh paint was the only clue to the shiny newness of this restaurant for everything, but everything was prepared to perfection; not a spinning plate in sight.

On arrival, the Familiar Face of Front of House beamed the warmest of welcomes and slipped a glass of champagne into our hands. As we surveyed our surroundings we saw Mr Rock Star looking relaxed and content; elsewhere, casually smart groups colonised tables, some guests roaming to chat with others. While many folk knew each other, our anonymity allowed discreet observation … and we liked it that way, watching fellow Guests’ lively cheer – all as delighted as us to be there that night.

Our peripheral table provided privacy and an excellent vantage point; adjacent to a servery we were also able to overhear Team members chatting and comparing notes. Unlike in so many apparently accomplished restaurants, these Splendid Servers are not just on top of their game but clearly thrilled to be doing what they do best. This rare professionalism imbues every aspect of Noble Rot here, as well as in the original Bloomsbury and more recently established Soho restaurants.

From the warm hug on arrival to seamless service, friendly Team Rot didn’t miss a beat; without fail, each knew the food, knew the wine, advised and nudged us in the right direction throughout. This thoughtful attention was the cherry on the cake of our extremely rare date-night-dinner: romantic, delicious, funny, loving and pampered … we simply couldn’t have been happier.

Upon leaving, HH nipped to the loo; within seconds, I was invited to join two jolly Gents whom we had observed enjoying a vast range of wines-by-the-glass with their food … and loving every moment. HH returned to find me in relaxed, default position of old: perched on bar stool, Barolo in hand.

The Gents introduced themselves, one speaking extensively with HH about wine, the other discussing with me the highs and lows of Life, The World and Everything. As we left, a card was proffered to HH, with a wish to keep in touch; wending our happy way homeward, HH read the card and gasped …  Its HIM! [famous wine writer] … I was speaking with HIM!  Dear reader even I knew of whom he spoke and yes, I am the woeful women for whom – until I met HH – wine was either Red or White.

My grasp of wine improved again when introduced many moons ago to Noble Rot Bloomsbury, by a good friend who now lives near Carcassonne in France. We will see him and his Missus next week; they have booked us into a restaurant recommended by the Noble Rot Soho Chef, with whom they chatted on their last visit to London. Rotter tentacles reach far and wide ….

All that remains to be said is that the Noble Rot quite simply cares enough to make you want to come back; the Team knows exactly what it’s doing, for whom … and how we like it. Those in the know know it is worth knowing … for here slow, sensuous, savoury food and wine prevail and if you have yet to visit, go soon before everyone else gets there. noblerot.co.uk

Our food and wine

On arrival
M Gonet, Extra Brut Blanc de Blancs ‘3 Terroirs’; Champagne, France 2017

Starters       
House baked Foccaccia, Black Treacle Soda Bread
Jambon Noir de Bigarre
Mushroom Fritters
With Koehler-Ruprecht, Riesling Kabinett Trocken; Pfalz, Germany 2021

Mains
Parisienne Gnocchi, Braised Lettuce, Ossau-Iraty & Hazelnut
Warm Smoked Eel, Baked Potato & Avruga Caviar to which I added Pancetta Filettata
With Noah, Rosso Coste della Sesia; Piedmonte, Italy 2019

Pudding
The sweet tooth of HH was pampered with Hazelnut Ice Cream & Gariguette Strawberries with Dauphine-Rondillon, Loupiac ‘Cuvee d’Or’, Bordeaux, France 2009
My savoury pallet enjoyed the Cheese Board with Trediberri, Barolo ‘La Morra’; Piedmont, Italy 2018

Next stop: Part II of The Honeymoon combined with My Big Birthday celebration at Karma Chateau de Samary, French resort of hospitality world exemplar, Karma Group … stand by!

© Giovanna Forte 2023