August 31, 2012

Power Lunch at Dukes

Dukes is a sweet little boutique hotel in Mayfair. 
They're not new or glitzy. If Dukes were a person, he'd be a old gent, sitting in his study with a pipe and a glass of whisky. Refined and relaxed. 


The restaurant, Thirty Six by Nigel Mendham is something of a whippersnapper in comparison. Still quiet and relaxed, but a bit sexier. 
Their new "Power Lunch" is a West End girl's dream. 
When you arrive, you're greeted with a chilled glass of bubbly, a food menu and an 'extras' menu. 



Essentially it's lunch with a PA thrown in for free.
Tick the boxes and the staff will run across town to pick up whatever you need.


I chose to have my phone charged, a fresh copy of Vogue, a birthday card and a speedy manicure.
While the wonderfully accommodating staff rushed off, Holly & I were left to enjoy lunch.




We asked the sommelier to choose us a wine for each course.
I much prefer to hand over control when it comes to wine. The pouilly fumé on the right was my favourite by far.


Holly went for ham hock and pea 'textures'.
While I started with the mackerel fillet, smoked eel, watercress and crispy egg.


H moved on to hake with asparagus, jersey royals and langoustine. 



I had braised beef, sticky cheek, mash and 'flavours of burgundy'.


My favourite pudding was the chocolate slab with popcorn ice-cream and caramelised bananas.


As I put my fork down I was whisked downstairs for my manicure.



In and out in under an hour with a fully charged phone, niece's birthday card, new magazine and new nails.
Three courses are a very reasonable £28, obviously more if you drink and have spa treatments but seeing as you can barely buy a sandwich for £10 in Mayfair, I was impressed.
Website here.
Who's excited for the weekend?
I think I might pop back to the country to spend some time with Custard. My wellies are looking a little too clean, time for a stomp through the woods I think.
What are you up to?



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69 comments:

  1. Nicole A.14:45

    Here in the U.S. it is Labor Day weekend. I am heading to the cabin for boating, sunbathing, campfires, and s'mores. Thank goodness we get an extra day to celebrate all our hard work.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh my goodness that sounds idilic! Please tell me you have a blog so I can live through your pictures?! x

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    2. I see your cabin and raise you Labor Day Weekend on Cape Cod: sunset sails with frigid champagne on ice in beach pails, lobster bakes on the beach, sneaking gin and tonics into the old drive-in movie, and black raspberry ice creams on main street. Team USA! Rosie girl, come next summer and give it a spin!

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    3. I'm so jealous of both of you! I wish I was in America this weekend.
      What does Labor Day celebrate?

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    4. OH yay! I am doing the same in Grand Haven MI. at my husband's family cottage! Rose, Labor Day celebrates economic and social contributions to workers. It is a government holiday and therefore all government jobs get the day off as well as other select businesses. Really it is a day to celebrate the end of summer with grilling out and drinking lots of beers! LOL, it is very American!

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    5. OH, I almost forgot.. It is also the last day of the year that it is fashionable to wear white!

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  2. Anonymous14:50

    My mam's coming to London this weekend and I wanted to take her to lunch somewhere on Saturday this looks PERFECT!
    You little diamond.
    Have fun in the wellies! xxxx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm sure she'll love it, Anon! x

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  3. Charles15:01

    well if the weather stays like this, i'll take the kids sailing around the solent. the dogs love the adventure too!

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  4. I'm spending my three day weekend on the beach in Mexico. Can't wait to hop in the car and head down tomorrow morning. Ole!

    Rachel
    http://www.howboutsomecake.wordpress.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh GOD this makes me green with envy.
      I'd kill to be sipping cocktails on a beach in mexico with a big bowl of guacamole! x

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  5. Wow!!It sounds wonderful!Next time in London I'll try it!
    Here in Florence this weekend will be bad weather..with friends we have planned to go to the beach, but I don't know now!

    XOXO

    Cami

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  6. Such a good idea, who doesn't love being spoilt for a while! have a great weekend!

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  7. Love this "extras" menu! What a cool idea.

    I am heading back home to try countryside this weekend also - for a friend's wedding and to help my mum out on her allotment all day tomorrow - lovely resbite from London.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Allotment sounds fun, what sort of stuff do you guys grow?

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    2. It's my mum's new little obsession! At the moment its courgettes, leeks, lettuce, lots of different herbs plus some strawberries I believe! But I am out of touch and will probably find out that we have a lot more variety tomorrow!

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  8. Wow what a fabulous concept! Would love somebody in Alsace, France to do this.
    May just pop to the local restaurant and ask the sommelier and restaurant manager to add some extras to the menu.
    Missing London and great customer service.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Have fun with custard! We're taking our pup Hailee to the beach for Labor day :)
    xo
    Rach
    http://rachiecakes-rachael.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  10. Anita15:40

    I'm studying :-( But the exam is on Monday so not long until good times roll again. Your blog has been keeping me going through the revision, and reminding me there's light at the end of the tunnel!!!
    Thanks Rose and have fun in the wellies....don't forget some long socks....no one likes wellie chaffe x

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    Replies
    1. Good luck in the exam hun! x

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  11. What a great idea! Love the look of the food, popcorn ice cream, hello! :)
    Great nails also.
    x

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  12. Very impressed. Their Martini Bar is amazing too! xx

    South Molton St Style

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  13. Anonymous16:01

    What are our favourite basic tops/tshirts?

    I'm soooo curious about your closet in your new flat since you said it can fit all of your shoes. Can you do a closet tour post or video? I would love to see it.

    I'm heading to our cottage in Ballater (near Balmoral) for the weekend - I cannot wait to get out of the City for a while :)

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  14. Emily16:09

    Wow this sounds incredible! :) I remember walking past this place when I was working on Bruton Street, but I never knew it had this little hidden gem inside.

    This might seem like a silly question Rose, but how does it work in terms of paying them for the extra services? Do you just pay them back for the magazine/birthday card etc?

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  15. Not even is Los Angeles do we have something like this, boooooooo I'm jealous.

    Labor Day over here - I'll be picnicing at the beach, stand-up paddle boarding with some friends, and generally living the long weekend to it's fullest!


    xo
    Nicole
    www.hourglassandbloom.wordpress.com

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  16. I'm going to the theatre and getting ready for my first 'big girl' job teaching starting on Monday. x

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  17. It all looks so yummy, im so going to have to check it out.

    what polish are you wearing in this post? Its perfect!!
    http://www.thelondoner.me/2012/08/yacht-week-croatia-day-seven.html

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  18. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  19. I love your posts, but mostly I love that they are more frequent these days. It makes my day when I log into my computer at work - click on The Londoner tagged to my Favorites Bar - and I have a new post from you to read. Makes my day a little bit brighter. Thank you!

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  20. The 'extras' menu is such a good idea!!

    This weekend I'm heading out and shopping with a lovely blogger that I've come to be really good friends with, I'm also spending loads of time with my blog as I've just had it designed :D

    Hope you have a lovely weekend with that very handsome pooch of yours!

    Hannah xx

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  21. I live in Colorado, where Labor Day weekend means one thing: Tour de Fat! A local brewery (New Belgium) hosts an all day biking parade where beer flows freely and everyone dresses up in random costumes and bikes around town! It's so much fun, I can't wait!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. My step-sister-in-law just moved out to Colorado, I'll have to let her know about this! Which city is it in?

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    2. yayyyyy i love Ft Collins!
      i'm pretty sure New Belgium made my whole year back when they released their parody video "I'm on a Bike"............


      xo
      Nicole
      www.hourglassandbloom.wordpress.com

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  22. Tonight we're celebrating a friend's birthday at a tapas restaurant (http://www.19bella.com/), running out of state to pick up booze for our wedding (no sales tax...shhh, don't tell on us!), and then we have a wedding to attend on Sunday! All topped up with our feet in the water and beer in hand on Monday :-)

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  23. Oh my, how much easier would life be if you could have people to run around and do your errands every time you sat down to eat? That would be awesome.

    Most weekends my answer to that question would be 'just working, boo' but amazingly this weekend it's 'flying to Bratislava where I will be interning for 3 months' :D So exciteeed

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  24. Anonymous19:48

    Such small portions!!

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  25. Oh My! I have to give it a try!! all that for only 28 pounds!!??
    a couple of questions: nice spa to recommend for a weekend break for my bf?
    and... what happened to that blogger meeting you suggested to origanise some time ago in Twitter?
    thanks!!

    xXx

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  26. i am working all this weekend boohoo, but then i have the harry potter studio tour to look forward to next week! SO excited. x

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  27. This looks amazing!! If you're ever in the states, I strongly recommend visiting Chicago and giving Alinea a try....the best dining experience of my life!

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  28. In 3 hours I am picking up my gorgeous new puppy and will no doubt spend the rest of the weekend cooing over her and making sure she isn't too sad after leaving her previous home. She's a dream - I hope she's not camera shy because I will be obsessed with documenting her every move.

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  29. Anonymous03:05

    Hi Rose,
    I'm hoping you can give me a recommendation. I'm throwing a surprise birthday party for my sister and I'm looking for a cocktail venue for about 60 people - any ideas?
    Lucy

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  30. Joanna04:15

    I launched my website today! A recipe site :-) Check it out if you'd like

    http://www.thefakeryrecipes.com/

    ReplyDelete
  31. Around the corner from work,Brilliant! must pop by at some point.

    Thanks for the recommendation Rose :)


    Sereena A

    www.thesheester.com

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  32. what an amazing idea for a restaurant?! food looks delicious, and your nails equally so!

    http://rachelkellis.blogspot.com

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  33. mmmmmmmmm looking good :(

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  34. nice photos,especially the first!

    hi,visit and follow my fashion blog The Pie Hole on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Pie-Hole/340193896063820?ref=hl/ and here http://s-thepiehole.blogspot.it/ or here http://lookbook.nu/thepiehole and begin my members with google friend connect please :)

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  35. This is my last weekend before my Teacher Training course starts, so (after yesterdays night out) I'm relaxing and getting myself organised while my significant other is putting the shed together with his dad... think I might have to have a nap ;)
    Have fun in the country, I envy you - would love to take my horse for a ride, but he's staying with my mum while I'm at Uni.

    Becca
    Insight To Another Life

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  36. looks yummy


    £28 is brilliant thank you for sharing so want to go there now :)


    http://haideeandco.blogspot.co.uk

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  37. Margaux16:35

    Have fun at home Rosie, I have just this second arrived home in the country from my flat in Clapham, feels so lovely to be back home for the weekend! If you have any time, could you please give me some advice as to what to wear next weekend? I'm going to an all-dayer sort of dealy at a friends house, that is turning into a bit of a party afterwards and on into the night. I have no idea what to wear, especially as the weather is so bloody temperamental! Margaux xxxxxxxxxx

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  38. oh! that just sounds like the most fabulous idea. I am putting this on my 'to do' list. anywhere that gives you a manicure as well as fab food is a must!

    Nothing as exciting here, but husband, daughter and I are toodling off for a pub lunch tomorrow. No cooking for mama, that's always a treat!

    enjoy your weekend

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  39. What a brilliant idea for an extras menu. I just got back from London, am nursing a terrible hangover and will spend the weekend exchanging self pitying texts with my best friend :)

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  40. Anonymous07:05

    rose random question.. where do u buy uy nail polish?

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  41. I'm taking a long weekend in Barcelona to celebrate my bday. Any restaurant or bar recs?

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  42. Yummy! x
    http://themusingsofateenagemind.blogspot.co.uk/

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  43. This looks incredible!! Yet another addition to my 'places to go when in London', I'm going to have to move closer, once a year is not enough, clearly! Thank you for another wonderful post x

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  44. Tess15:49

    Hi Rose, I have a quick question.. could you recommend some good brands/ stores for buying a classy LBD? I really like the style of your little white dress. I want something good quality. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

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  45. looks delicious! :)

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  46. Anna20:56

    Hi Rose,

    I love your blog especially your recipes and travel information. I absolutely love Dukes its always on my to do list when I visit London. I am going on a 4 night trip to Barcelona and I was wondering if you have any advice on what to pack for a city trip... I am sharing a suitcase with my boyfriend (don't ask why I thought that would be a good idea...therefore I have to back light which is not really my forte, any tips, you always looks so put together on your holiday posts!

    Thoughts & Kindness

    Anna x

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  47. I love the PA list!

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  48. Anonymous17:41

    WHO WON THE HUNTERS BOOTS
    ????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Amanda23:08

      Check the hunter post you FUCKING GENIUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!etc.

      Delete
  49. Hi Miss Rose,

    What an amazing gem you found! I think more places should be full-service like this! I hope you are feeling better and took some time to relax, you deserve it. Tell McDreamy I say hello ;)

    Have an enchanting day,

    Natalie
    TheEnchantingLife.com

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  50. Sounds like a perfect power lunch. I love the idea of giving many options to make up the time. I love the manicure also. So chic and relaxing.

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  51. Love this spot! I love the flexible schedule and the time to relax while at lunch.

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  52. This is a dream! Full-service AND lunch?! I wonder if San Francisco does anything like this...I must hunt around! Hope you are feeling better :)

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  53. I'm glad you're back, tip-top

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  54. Wow I just LOVE this place. Thanks for sharing! x

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