What Can We Expect From The Grill at the Dorchester’s Relaunch?

For the past six years, The Dorchester’s historic Grill restaurant has been helmed by chef Tom Booton, who joined the prestigious hotel at the ripe age of 26. But earlier this year, he announced it was time to move on – and now we have word on the restaurant’s new era. 

Ex-Claridge’s Chef Martyn Nail Will Lead The Grill At The Dorchester

From 15 September, The Grill by Tom Booton will return to its original name, The Grill at The Dorchester. Martyn Nail has been brought in as the new culinary director, bringing with him a wealth of experience, having spent a whopping 36 years in the Claridge’s kitchen before arriving at The Dorchester three years ago. He’ll be joined by chef Jacob Keen-Downs, who hails from Notting Hill hotspot Gold. 

So what’s on the menu? It sounds like the restaurant is leaning more into traditional grill dining with dishes like beef Wellington, spider crab linguine, fish pie, omelette Arnold Bennett, and seafood platters. There will also be a theatrical element, with tuna and steak tartares dished out tableside. 

On Sundays, a roast will be served featuring dishes like Aberdeen Angus sirloin or chestnut and lentil roast, alongside all the trimmings. A dessert trolley will also be wheeled around tables, featuring puddings like baked Alaska, banana split and chocolate mousse. 

Cocktails will include frozen martinis and grill adonis, a blend of gin and fino sherry. Speaking of sherry, every day at 6pm the bar team will host a ‘sherry moment’ involving ‘a ceremonious long pour served straight from the barrel’.

‘This dining room has been making history for 95 years,’ said Nail. ‘Our aim is to celebrate the best of the grill tradition with exceptional cooking and a great environment. Whether our diners choose to snack at the counter, graze with friends, or enjoy the full experience alone, we want the room to feel vibrant, relaxed, and warm – the place to go, and the place to return to.’

This autumn, The Grill at The Dorchester will be collaborating with one of London’s most famous jazz clubs, Ronnie Scott’s, on a series of supper clubs. This will see artists including Natalie Duncan (24 September), Natalie Williams (29 October), Jo Harrop (26 November) and Georgia Cecile (9 December) singing while guests enjoy dinner. 

A spokeswoman for Ronnie Scott’s said: ‘We’re delighted to be teaming up with The Dorchester. It’s fantastic for these two iconic London institutions to come together to present our unmistakable live jazz in their historic space.’

History Of The Grill at The Dorchester

The Grill at The Dorchester opened its doors at the same time as the hotel in 1931. Known originally as The Grill Room and led by chef Oliver Ford, it was nicknamed the Spanish grill on account of its ornate red and gold decor and adjoining sherry bar. Quickly, the opulent eatery became a meeting point for well-heeled Londoners, from royals to businessmen.

Since then, the restaurant has undergone several renovations, including a significant revamp in 2014. Alain Ducasse’s protégé Christophe Marleix took over the reins, keeping signature dishes like the lobster chowder while adding new additions, including a sweet soufflé selection and an open rotisserie. Parisian interior architect Bruno Moinard, meanwhile, designed the eatery’s fresh look, bringing in new Murano glass chandeliers and counter seating.

Then, in 2019 Booton made history by becoming the restaurant’s youngest ever head chef. He modernised the menu, introducing dishes like lobster thermidor, as well as a pudding bar complete with its own ice cream machine. 

A couple of years later, The Dorchester began a significant transformation which saw the famous Promenade undergo a facelift. Two new bars were also introduced, The Artists’ Bar and Vesper Bar.

BOOK IT:

The restaurant relaunches 15 September 2025, dorchestercollection.com