The background

You may recognise Alex Webb from his 2020 victory on MasterChef: The Professionals. Following on from the win, Webb ran a pop-up at one of Mayfair’s most prestigious addresses, the InterContinental London Park Lane hotel. As of October last year, he has now moved into his own space at the venue permanently, offering diners a chance to experience first-hand the signature creativity that saw him take glory on the show.

Webb, from Essex, began his career in the kitchen, washing pots at a local restaurant at 14, and has since built an impressive CV, going on to apprentice at London’s The Savoy, followed by training at Michelin-starred Hélène Darroze at The Connaught; Dinner by Heston Blumenthal at Mandarin Oriental; Roux at Parliament Square and The Frog in Hoxton. Skills honed at this list of top dining establishments shine through in his innovative and technically impressive dishes.

The space

Built on the site of Queen Elizabeth II’s former childhood residence, the InterContinental London Park Lane hotel is a grand property on the doorstep of both Hyde Park and Green Park, complete with friendly doormen in top hats. Alex Webb’s establishment on the ground floor is a moody den of dark blues, wood and mirrored surfaces and feels elegant and grown-up. It’s one of those spaces where any concept of time slips away. When Brummell visited on a Saturday evening, the intimate space was full of groups of friends catching up, couples on dates and solo business travellers who had wandered down from their rooms – and all were equally delighted by the dishes arriving at their tables.

The menu

This is a fine-dining affair, with a focus on seasonal British produce. Diners can choose between a three-course menu or a seven-course tasting experience, but either option promises a memorable meal. This is not an eat-and-go scenario – every dish is accompanied by some level of wow-factor. To start, the Sea, Land and Tree canapés arrive set within a table sculpture of moss and driftwood, setting the bar high.

The beef carpaccio with pickled shimeji, pine nut purée, truffle and sourdough croutons is a burst of colour, with flower petals delicately topping the dish, while the artichoke, artichoke, artichoke is, yes, artichoke done three ways – clever and deceptively delicious. The main of Atlantic cod, sea herbs, onion purée, pickled onions and crispy potato with champagne sauce is beautifully presented but even then, tastes exceed expectations, while the Lake District Farmers’ grilled pork chop, salt-baked carrot, tarragon vinegar gel, apple compote, crispy pork skin and pork jus is flavourful and arrives with a side of pearl barley risotto perched in its own display of dried flowers for extra impact.

For dessert, the tonka bean & yuzu mille-feuille with clotted cream ice cream is a fun and colourful take on the classic, with innovative flavour pairings that serve as a grand finale to the meal.

To drink, there is an option to add a wine or cider pairing to your meal or pick from the excellent drinks list. There’s a great selection of Hattingley Valley wines and Sandford Orchards cider.

We tried the signature cocktails. For a real show-stopper, the Pisco & Ibisco is made with BarSol pisco, lemon, ginger beer, hibiscus and clove syrup, and is revealed to you from beneath a cloche billowing fragrant applewood smoke.

The bill

Three-course menu for two plus cocktails, £158

The verdict

Alex Webb on Park Lane is a great choice for a special occasion, or even a first date as any lull in conversation promises to be quickly erased by the next playful and unexpected dish. The service is seamless, and you will definitely have the urge to snap a photo or two.

parklane.intercontinental.com/dine/alex-webb