I think I would give this a 4.5-4.6 overall. An excellent overall Michelin dining experience, the service and the sommeliers were incredible. The food was plated perfectly, great presentations. The food itself: some dishes were outstanding and deserved a standing applause. There were a few dishes that I did not love (the bass and the turnip), but they still were cooked to perfection with an incredible sauce and presentation. However they just did not wow me. Some dishes, like the potato, the scallops and the chocolate filled biscuit were incredible. I did not personally love the apple dessert but was impressed with what they were able to make. I appreciated that they had 3 menus to choose from - a classic tasting menu, a seasonal tasting menu and à la carte. We loved that they presented the wine pairing menu beforehand so you knew exactly what you were getting. They also gave you bread to dip with sauces (!!!). Ambiance: perfect. read more

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Opened by Clare Smyth during the summer of 2017 it did not take long for the former head of Restaurant Gordon Ramsay to achieve her own Michelin 3* status, and from the jovial bar to softly lit dining room everything about CORE is as pleasant as it is delicious. Located on Kensington Park Road, the Northern Irish Chef mentored by Ramsay and Ducasse continuing her focus on Modern British dining with the best regional Ingredients, guests are invited to choose between two separate tasting menus dubbed "classic" and "seasonal." Relaxed yet elegant, Smyth's status as one of only two women in the UK with three stars not translated into the sort of stiff service associated with "fine dining," dinner begins shortly after seating with Canapes ranging from a Chicken Skin Taco to Jellied Eel and a one-bite Lobster Roll. Previously named the World's best Female Chef, the move from Royal Hospital Road to Notting Hill opening the door for further development of her own personal style, first proper courses see a fresh Scallop from Isle of Harris brightened by Chlorophyll adjacent the seasonal Langoustine presented beautifully on Carrots with Coriander, Saffron and Cicely. The child of a Potato farmer, Smyth's signature 'Potato and Roe' an homage of sorts to her upbringing, the addition of Vinegar Potato Crisps adds depth to a dish already rich with it while its seasonal counterpart adds Caviar to a puree of Potatoes and Leeks in Buttermilk. Continuing to show great skill with a duo of Fish dishes, meaty Sea Bass with Bivalves and Lovage outpacing Cod, Smyth's "Lamb Carrot" earns all its accolades but finds proper competition from Scottish Ceps on Pastry in a pool of Thyme and toasted Yeast shaved with White Truffles. As precise as the best kitchens in Paris, Steak and Oysters in two forms each faultless while seasonal Venison finds added emphasis in Juniper, the "Core Apple" and Clementine Fool are each elegant and light en route to Clare's 'Core-teser' and the beautiful Pear and Verbena Meringue. Also offering an a la carte option, similar plates plus a few extra available in the Restaurant plus a whole different set of options inside the attached Whiskey & Seaweed Bar, dinner concludes with Wine Jellies and warm Chocolate Tarts plus gracious thank yous from the staff. read more

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Finally visited Core and my experience was mixed. It may be that fine dining communities have hyped it up too much so my expectations were quite high and while the meal was quite good I would say nearly every three star restaurant I've been to (and several 1 and 2s!) were better overall. Now, obviously a four star review is not bad by any means and Core tics off a lot of boxes you'd expect of such a highly rated establishment. The interior space is warm, tasteful, and pleasant. The staff are friendly, attentive, and tend to guests with the kind of professionalism you'd expect. And, the food is very good but and occasionally exceptional. But this is a thee star rated restaurant which means it's supposed to be the best of the best in the world, and during my visit I found too many moments not quite up to comparisons with other places. During our seasonal tasting menu some of our mains like the duck and sea bass to be pleasant but kind of boring without any wow factor in their taste or presentation. A circular spin on potato and leek soup with caviar on top was really underwhelming with the caviar feeling really out of place on the food which was mushy blend of vegetables that I had a hard time getting through. Sourdough served with the meal was also just kind of O.K. and not indicative of anything special given the attention paid to the age of the starter. There were some dishes that did feel up to par with other three stars. The best of these was the tomato "bouef" which was tomato served three ways - one as a faux tartare, a consume, and juice with a sweet roll - and it was spectacular in flavor and presentation. This along with the opening bites (including a jellied eel that I was afraid to try but defied all bad expectations) really gave the impression our meal was going to be a knock out. Sadly, it was all downhill from there. Deserts and wine were all right as well. The other meme about Core is the exceptional value for the money given its rating but our bill for two tasting menus and two wine pairings came to about 1400 USD which is not out of line with other similar establishments but I wouldn't consider it somehow inexpensive. So I came away from Core slightly disappointed and likely won't be back any time soon. read more

Outstanding meal. World class tasting menu. The price is definitely for a VERY special occasion. We have recommended this place to many people. The experience was amazing and they helped my husband celebrate his birthday. If you want one of a kind world experience, this is the spot for you. read more

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Worth all the hype and in my top three meals of all time. And that's saying a lot. It was more than just the food. It was the combination of approachable hospitality, location, and absolutely amazing and evocative food. If you can get in, go. You won't regret it. read more

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I feel compelled to write an updated review for Core by Clare Smyth since when I first visited in February 2020 it only had two Michelin stars. Well, it has three Michelin stars now! I had to come back to see what the difference was. Ironically, I didn't realize that I ordered the Core Seasons menu last time (perhaps I should have checked my own review!), but I did end up ordering the Core Seasons menu again. I could tell very clearly that Core has increased its level since the last time I was here. The presentation was tighter, the creativity was on par if not slightly better, and of course the food was still amazing. There were no misses at all on this menu, although if I had to pick a favorite it would probably have to be the Langoustine and Wasabi Pea. But honestly, everything is fantastic as you would expect from a three Michelin star restaurant. As usual, Core has impeccable service. Even though they are now at three stars, you never feel like they think they're too good for you to be here. Everyone here was super friendly! Every dish explained after its brought out. Table cleaned after every dish. Hell, they wouldn't even let me pour my own water. I have been spoiled to have been to multiple three star restaurants, but at least I know what the standard is and they meet that standard. Since I have been here before, I was already familiar with the ambience. Like i I said before, Core prides itself on being "an elegant and informal fine dining restaurant." You never feel uncomfortable in here at all despite it being a three star restaurant. Luckily this time, I was able to be seated at a table at the edge of the room rather than the middle of the room. This really allowed me to observe all the details of the ambience. Really felt super comfortable here, as I did last time. I also wanted to thank the reservations folks for allowing me to book a two person reservation, then changing it to a one person reservation since OpenTable didn't allow for a one person reservation. A lot of fine dining establishments don't do this, so I am grateful that they allowed for this. Core by Clare Smyth is firmly one of my favorite restaurants in the world. I was impressed by it in in 2020 and even more impressed after 2024. And since I still haven't ordered from the Core Classics menu, I still have incentive to come back! read more

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Dining at Core by Clare Smyth is everything you would expect from a three Michelin star restaurant featuring a diverse, creative, and flavorful tasting menu. There are two options for the tasting menu: the Core Classics and the Core Seasons. I ordered the Seasons featuring in season local ingredients and my wife had the Classics. I included the wine pairing with my dinner, and it was a nice touch that elevated each dish. The meal started with a tasing of "Beginning" Bites: Lobster Roll, Roast Chicken, Pea and Mint Gougere, and Jellied Eel and Toasted Seaweed. I loved the Lobster Roll! This bite sized version of one of my favorite sandwiches had a soft brioche bun filled with tender aromatic lobster. The Roast Chicken was also phenomenal. A bit sized crisp taco-like shell was filled with jellies that exploded with rich meaty flavor and tasted just like a perfectly roasted chicken. The Gougere and Jellied Eel were also very flavorful. Next came the Langoustine with English Saffron. This was my favorite dish of the evening. Super tender and briny Langoustine meat literally melts in your mouth and was paired with a rich jelly and crisp veggies that were soooo flavorful it was like eating a garden. The Leek and Potato was also phenomenal (my second favorite dish of the evening)! The combination of fresh local potatoes and leeks were formed into a tender lightly crisp airy patty which was heavenly on its own. But then it was paired with a creamy buttermilk sauce and a heaping portion of juicy Osietra caviar. The next dish was the Cornish Turbot. The fish was fresh, flakey and tender and paired with flavorful smoked mussels. Crispy Veal Sweetbread was next. A soft potato like bread was paired with a rich sauce. A Merrifield Farm Duck finished the meat portion of the dinner. The duck was rich, juicy, and tender and paired with a rich flavorful sauce. The Raspberry Fool was the first dessert. I am not a big raspberry fan but this was delicious with a creamy rich raspberry flavor. The Core-Teser was a rich creamy chocolate mousse. Finally, the dinner ended with flavorful dessert bites of Chocolate Tart and Jellies. read more

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Overall, I enjoyed my experience here, but I felt like it was more of a one time thing. There were some dishes that I really enjoyed, but some that were just OK. I really liked the crab dish that was presented in 3 ways and also highly enjoyed the duck. The other folks in my party all got the Core Classics menu that included the lamb and were disappointed by the fact that it was not actually lamb. The plating and presentation of all the dishes were what I expected of a 3* Michelin establishment. Service wise, we were quite confused by how many different wait staff appeared at our tables for different reasons. It felt like there was no communication between them as we were often asked for our drink orders twice and had to repeat other asks as well. We were sat right in front of the kitchen and while it was a joy to watch the chefs at work initially, it quickly felt like it was really noisy and there were a lot of people passing through. The other thing I remember is that all the turnip dishes seem to be tart and I was wondering if there was maybe another flavor profile that could have been represented with that. If I were to go again, I'd probably order from the ala carte menu instead of trying the tasting menus. Overall, good experience, thank you! read more

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If I could give this place 10 stars, I would. My bf and I have a few shows we watch together, Top Chef being one of them. So when I saw a reservation for lunch open for this restaurant while we were on vacation, I knew I had to book it. We traveled by metro to the restaurant and got there a little early. The hostess was very gracious and let us store our bags in the front closet. We had the earliest reservation, so there we were quite outnumbered by the wait staff. Once the restaurant filled up a bit more, I watched in wonder at a well-oiled machine. Everything from the escort to the restroom, to pulling out chairs, to describing every single dish was impeccable. Now, the food, every single dish, was delicious, well balanced, and presented like an absolute work of art. We started with 3 pieces of amuse bouche to get our palates ready, and my palate was still not ready! The scallop tartare has probably ruined me. I don't know how, if or why I would ever eat scallops after this. To say they were fresh would be an understatement. Potato and Roe, every time I go to a fine dining restaurant, I am always amazed by all of the flavors they can put into a modest food such as a potato. The roasted cod was delicious. The lamb carrot was quite a surprise as the carrot was magically stuffed with roasted lamb. The venison was very tender and juicy. The Core Apple was magical, as it looks like a fuji apple but is a delicious stuffed mousse. The Wild Strawberry is also a beautiful optical illusion as it represents a caprese salad but is a refreshing dessert. Just when I thought I couldn't fit in another morsel, here comes the Petit Fours. With my second stomach that's usually reserved for desserts, I managed to devour a chocolate tart that was reminiscent of a fresh baked cookie and their wonderful jellied wine. This reminded me of a super potent wine jello shot but way more refined. I can not recommend trying to secure a reservation to this restaurant if you're on vacation and want to splurge on a Three Michelin Star meal. read more

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My wife and I chase celebrity chefs like other folks chase rock stars. So when we finally had the chance to hop across the pond for a visit to London, a collection of Michelin Star Chefs were on the shopping list. Clare Smyth was on the top of our list and, despite having 6 months advance notice to get reservations, we were unable to book anything at Core before we landed at Heathrow. I wrote Clare an email, and her staff replied that while they had nothing available (as we'd expected), but they would keep us on a waiting list and call if anything opened up. I figured they were just being polite, and so when my phone rang at about 6pm that night, I nearly jumped out of my skin. We were in the underground on our way to another restaurant for dinner when they phoned, and my mobile dropped the call! I called back at least 5 times with no answer. When we got above ground, my phone rang again and we connected - 9:00 dinner? Heck yeah! we canceled our other reservation and hot-footed it for Core. Despite the last-minute nature of our booking, the staff treated us like we were guests in their home. If you've never dined in a 3-star Michelin restaurant, this is exactly what you should expect. First off, we were escorted to the lounge area, where a hyper-enthusiastic gentleman offered us a drink menu. I don't think I've ever met a happier person anywhere, much less in Britain. Our cocktails were fabulous and, when the time came, we were escorted to our table in the dining room. Every member of the team stopped what they were doing to greet us as we passed by... some of them by name, which was impressive by itself, especially considering we didn't have a reservation 3 hours earlier. Once seated, we opted for the simple 4-course meal. Four courses? Try seven. Little surprises around every corner. Everything from an amuse bouche, to a palate cleanser, to a second, special dessert on top of the already fancy first offering. I was starting to wonder if they were ever going to stop bringing us plates. But then I pondered that eating one self to death on some of the most delectible, creative, artistic, and scrumptuous food in the world might not be a bad way to go, really. As we left, we were invited to meet the chef (regrettably, Clare was not cooking that night, but the head chef du jour was wonderfully cordial, taking a moment to let us thank him for the meal). The walk back to our hotel was a touch longer than we'd planned in the crisp, evening air. But we needed to burn off a few of the calories those housemade wine gums, deconstructed malteser, and petit fours had deposited on our waist. No better night could be had by a pair of foodies our age. And we can't wait to return another day to see what other creative dishes Clare and her team have concocted. read more

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Wow this restaurant is beautiful & the food is phenomenal! I came with my family and it is easy to see why they have 3 Michelin stars. The staff is so attentive/aware, constantly moving, and they don't miss a thing. They are a smooth running machine- even setting down the plates is an art and has to be done at the same time. Each course of the meal is a piece of art, tells a story, and has so much flavor! I was very impressed by the Lamb Carrot course- having a vegetable be the main feature of the dish. The duck was so soft and deliciously prepared with the flavor profile & the cod was moist and flakey. The potato and roe course was savory and even had little potato chips on top too. All of the desserts were a perfect finish to the meal. I love how the core apple is designed like an apple on the outside and has the flavor on the inside. We had such a lovely experience here and can't wait to dine here again! read more

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Honestly, this is one of my most memorable and amazing meals that I've had. A 3 star Michelin restaurant with a chef whom is consistently present with her staff and has the passion and empathy to say hi to her guests while making her menu financially accessible to more people considering the status of her food. It was a genuine pleasure to be serviced by the waiting staff and chefs. Clare Smyth is a major reason to visit, but her staff and their warmth and professionalism is on another level of service. Genuinely, it broke my mind the way we were treated. I ordered the classic menu while my date had the seasonal spring menu. We also ordered a bottle of wine! Overall, cannot say enough amazing things about my experience here. read more

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Took my wife here to celebrate our first big trip since the pandemic. From start to finish the experience was extraordinary. Clare Smyth's cuisine and service embody excellence across the board, and truly she is one of England's greatest chefs. Booking was by the numbers. While you have to be ready to get a table when released, thankfully, it was not impossible. We took the tube to Notting Hill, and it was a pleasant walk to the restaurant through some lovely neighborhoods. Upon checking in we were greeted warmly and taken to our table. Two tasting menus were offered - the classic tasting menu and the "Core Seasons." We got one of each, why not try each dish? We also got a wine pairing. We prepared our palates with some champagne and cocktails, and sat back to enjoy the experience. Each dish was a breathtaking melange of color, expertly arranged and plated. The flavors and how all the ingredients were sublime. The wait staff were very knowledgeable about all the wines served and we enjoyed their stories of the provenances of each vintage. On the way out we got to meet Clare and thanked her for a wonderful evening we would not forget. read more

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I'm a little tardy in writing this review since we were in London late March to celebrate my wife's birthday. We had the pleasure of dining at Core on her birthday thanks to AMEX Concierge securing a reservation for us. We received a warm welcome from the host and were escorted through the beautiful bar area and past the open kitchen where we were greeted by the staff. We walked up a few stairs to a lovely dining room of 15 or so tables and got the best table IMO. Every detail is considered at Core, from the decor to the tasteful table setting. Service was on point, pleasant and timely with water and cocktails to start. Everyone on staff were impeccably dressed. We decided to go with the Classic and a Seasons menu. It's been over three months since we were at Core and we still talk about how this was top level cooking and for us, the best we have enjoyed. Every dish was excuted perfectly in taste, texture and temperate . After dinner, we had a cocktail and more after dinner deserts while we waited for our driver. We left full and happy! An exceptional experience and again; the best fine dining we have tried over the years, can't wait to return. Cheers! read more

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Set your alarms to get reservations because they get booked quick! I was fortunate enough to get reservations about 2 months out for our trip to London for a birthday dinner. We were excited to dine here after seeing Chef Clare on Chef's Table on Netflix. Dining at Core was a wonderful experience. Our host grabbed us to get seated after we had a cocktail in the waiting area. Right when we entered the dining room, we saw Chef Clare and her friendly staff members waive and greet us with the most welcoming hello! I enjoyed her open kitchen layout to see the chefs hard at work. We decided to pick one of each on the tasting menu so we can try a variety of Chef Clare's dishes. I love that we have the option of choosing different tasting menus when it was just us 2 dining. Typically, high end restaurants require you get the same tasting menu for the whole table since it's easier to prepare. All of the dishes had it's own unique taste with a gorgeous presentation. The sauce for her signature potato dish was divine and the potato was cooked perfectly. Be prepared for a TON of dessert dishes. I wish they offered more savory compared to sweets. The staff was very knowledgeable and gave us a full description of each dish while serving us. I highly recommend giving this 3 Michelin Star restaurant a try! read more

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I would like to eat here again and often! There's a small bar at the entrance and the cocktails were great. Based on all the buzz, we were excited to actually meet Chef Smyth as we walked by the open kitchen to our table. She was warm and friendly. Every course was wonderful and delicious. I liked everything, but want more of the canapés, both the gougères and foie gras! I'm a big fan of pumpkin and this was the first time I've ever had pumpkin and truffle oil together (in the gougères). COVID-19: Like just about every spot in London, there was no mask wearing and customers weren't asked to show proof of vaccination. read more

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Words can't describe what a beautiful, delicious, and perfect experience our dinner was. As soon as you enter the door, to every minute of the well choreographed dinner to our departure - perfection. There is an abundance of staff and one has to admire the level of efficiency of the staff's movements around the dining room. A finished plate never sat on the table for more than 30 seconds before someone came to whisk it away and clean the table. Each dish was presented perfectly and staff was knowledgeable and energetic to present the next course. The dishes were phenomenal tasting. The creativity, beauty, and just overall taste of each and every dish. Nothing was heavy, while most dishes were quite bright. The desserts were just ok but the rest of the meal more than made up for it. Chef was in the kitchen and was able to even get a quick greeting on the way in and out. Would come back in a heartbeat. read more

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I tried doing the no-reservations thing at CORE twice, back before the Covids, but they only ever had seating at the bar, not in the main dining room. Like an idiot, I passed, both times. I was a little worried that a couple was allowed to enter with their baby, but the infant was seated far from my table, so, few worries. And now that I've finally been properly seated, I found the food, service, ambiance to be exceptional. Of course, there are plenty of exceptional restaurants, worldwide. Here, I was very pleased to see that Chef Clare Smyth, who I believe to be one of only 4 women who have ever earned a third Michelin star, has selected her restaurant staff to include women and men of various diverse backgrounds, on both sides of house, at all levels. The kitchen (and staff) is fully visible to the patrons at the Chef's table, but every diner gets a glimpse as they walk by. It is not until you've visited a handful of these super high-end restaurants to realize that Chef Smyth's diverse staff is extremely rare. I'll have to return soon. 2022 09 23. M3. read more

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World class cuisine in an amazing restaurant with fantastic service and elegant atmosphere. This is pure class and I could not find fault with anything there. Service is excellent and the wine list is amazingly good. The staff are international and on the money when it comes to service excellence. The food coming out of the kitchen is exceptional and I loved each and every course. It's no wonder Claire Smyth was awarded the best female chef in the world in 2018. Prices are reasonable for a restaurant at this level and the ambience is fantastic. Be back here in a heartbeat :-) read more

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Having previously experienced Restaurant Gordon Ramsey, I was excited to try Core. The restaurant is a short walk from Holland Park or Notting Hill station. The location is tucked in a quiet neighborhood but upon entering, you get the buzz from the open kitchen. They also have a chefs table front and center, although there is a glass divider. The decor is clean and comfortable and does not come off stuffy. The amuse bouche offerings were beautiful and abundant. I could have eaten a meal of those alone if that was an option. The rest of the meal did not disappoint and the service was great. My only disappointment was they were not in business when I used to live just around the corner! read more

Loved this restaurant and would definitely try to go back when I'm in london! I say try because reservations are hard to come by. There were two menus to choose from and we got one of each so that we could try everything! The classic tasting was fine, but between the two we both enjoyed the core seasons menu more. The service was great and although I was scared of finishing really late (our reservation was at 9/9:30) time surprisingly flew by quickly and I wasn't as tired as I thought I would be. Presentation was phenomenal as well! read more

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Core by Clare Smyth is by far the best restaurant I been to in London. I went for lunch on a Friday afternoon and was seated close to the window. The room was very well lit by natural light and the atmosphere felt very light and relaxed, but do try to at least wear a shirt and proper slacks . Anyways the food was really good. I had the five course tasting meal which cost £80. It is very worth the price. If you do have any dietary restrictions, it is best to tell them early on. It is worth noting that the five course meal is very filling despite the typical fine dining small portions. I thoroughly enjoyed the food and the experience. Definitely worth visiting again! read more

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Amazing experience. This is one of my favorites we've been to so far- the food, service, presentation and just whole deal. The service was personalized and friendly. Though it's white table cloth, it's not stuffy! The signature dish was delicious as expected, but the others were creative and fun as well. The apple dessert was fun and tasty. We added a wine pairing which I would recommend. While the pours are smaller, I like the experience of knowing why that wine pairs with the dish. It's worth it to me! Great food and an unforgettable evening!! read more

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Mostly great service. The biggest problem is that they throw so many "free" amuse items at you to hide the fact that they serve so little of what you actually ordered. Honestly, 4 different "free" amuse items were presented before we received our apps. The app was 2 or 3 bites big and the entree was 5 or 6 bites big. I just cut everything into tiny pieces so that each course would last more than a couple of minutes. We had to listen for way too long as 1 of the line cooks described in mind numbing detail every single microscopic ingredient that comprised our apps. All I could think about was for him to go away before our food cooled off. None of the servers checked with us to see if our entrees were ok. Both were over salted. And then the desserts. First a heavy "free" apple sized/shaped confection (half left uneaten), followed by another heavy dessert (the 1 I actually ordered, half left uneaten), followed by a "free" chocolate tart and "free" jellies (all left uneaten). Lastly, I had to listen to 2 different servers describe the dessert I ordered, despite asking the second server to stop. Not having stuffed myself with the pile of heavy desserts they slid my way, I left the restaurant hungry. read more

I had high expectations after booking months ago and it actually exceeded my expectations. I'll start with the service. They did a great job but did not come off as stuffy/Michelin starsy. The sommelier in particular did a great job of describing each wine (we ordered the wine accompaniment to the tasting menu) without coming off as arrogant or condescending. The food was presented beautifully and tasted to match. Started with four amuse bouche, all quite good particularly a duck wing on a skewer. The tasting menu started with a fantastic Isle of Mull scallop. Next was a charlotte potato dish, both were in fantastic sauces that made you want to lick the plate. Third was a beautiful piece of skate. Next was one of the most interesting, a carrot that soaked up the flavor of lamb accompanies by some lamb. The primary course was grouse. I loved the grouse but did not care for the grouse heart and liver (not a big organ person) that came with it. I'm not normally a dessert person but they were the highlight. A cherry bakewell which exploded with cherry sorbet in the centre. Then one of the best dishes I ever had, a pear and verbena dessert, the verbena was very interesting. Overall, great meal and great service. read more

I booked for 2 people for Core Restaurant at 9.45pm, my plane was delayed by over an hour to return to London, so I asked the restaurant and asked the attendant if I could change my booking or come half an hour late. She said she could change my booking but will charge me a cancellation fee or keep my booking for half an hour. I received an email prior to half an hour to say I will be charged $300GPD cancellation fee and they stoped picking up my calls. It's disgusting! read more

What an amazing experience we had. This review is a bit late as we were there in October 22'.. You walk in and immediately you are transported. We were lucky to snag an afternoon lunch resv. Which was absolutely perfect time. The sun coming through the restaurant.. the food was just so beautiful .... next couple of hours were pure joy ...all the senses engaged. Can't wait to come back to see what's next.. read more

The most amazing meal out of all the 3-Michelin stars we've tried. In my opinion it's significantly better than the #1 restaurant in the world (Mirazur) in terms of presentation, flavor and value. Service was impeccably warm and friendly, not cold and impersonal. Decor is simple but tasteful and refined. Love the fact that their staff has 50/50 mix of male and female. She definitely deserves to have a third star! read more

My wife and I dined at Core twice in 2019, while I had the classic menu both times, my wife had both the core season as well as the classic menu. Well, what can we say - the dishes (potato and roe, the other carrot, the fruit sorbet meringue, the core apple, the core teaser) are crafted to perfection on all levels. There were so many amazing dishes, it is hard to pick the best one. The service was beyond exceptional both times and the location is understated, yet elegant (we want the metal London map from the bar in our apartment - unfortunately, it is a custom piece). Having the kitchen behind a glass wall is a cool feature and that we actually got to go into the kitchen and meet Clare & her team on our second visit was a dream come true. 2 stars are more than deserved and we are hoping/expecting to see a 3rd star! read more

We sat at the Chef's table with our friends from the states and thoroughly enjoyed watching the team create masterpiece upon masterpiece behind the floor to ceiling glass wall that separated us from the kitchen. We dined here a couple of months before Chef Clare received her Michelin stars and we knew it was just a matter of the next guide being published. The food, presentation, and hospitality are all as good as it gets. We've yet to run into a better place to dine. We dream of our return. read more

Best culinary experience ever: exquisite and amazingly tasty food, great wines, ambiance, over the top services, and more. A must try in London. But you will need to book way in advance. read more

Some of the finest service you will ever receive. Outstanding tasting menu especially with the wine pairing. Beautiful kitchen and dining room - formal but not stuffy. One of the songs they played was Guns and Roses sweet child of mine! ...the food presentations were interesting and remarkable. Well done! Located in a quiet neighborhood that may be a beautiful place to see if you are in town that you normally wouldn't pass by. I'd compare it to the upper east side neighborhood of NYC. My husband especially loved the food gras and I can't get the verbena sorbet out of my mind. read more

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I'm not easily impressed, but this restaurant is superb. The food was delicious, with flavor combinations that demonstrated great imagination. And the presentation of each dish was, well, a work of art. Try to get a table near the kitchen. You will never have seen more attention to detail than what is exhibited by the men and women preparing your food. read more

So first, some background on how we ended up at Core. We originally was planning to go to Fat Duck but couldn't score a reservation at the time we wanted. We booked Core as a back-up. The Fat Duck reservation eventually opened up but we decided to go to Core anyways (my husband by then has hyped himself with too much with photos and we've already visited other restaurants by Heston Blumenthal). I myself had lower expectation of Core as we've previously gone to Gordon Ramsey (which Clare Smyth was the head chef) and did not have a great experience, and oh man what a difference! The meal was great - Clare Smyth used many ingredients that's local to UK/Ireland. The apple dessert was exceptional (reminded by of the "meat fruit" from Dinner by Heston Blumenthal in terms of presentation). I'm not a huge fan of dishes filled with tons of meat - I find entree course that's just a piece of meat to be uncreative and uninspiring. Core's meal was able to incorporate a lot of meat without having them overwhelm the course. So while I leave feeling quite full, I don't feel super heavy. A couple of things to note - I wasn't able to finish the least dessert as the portion size is surprisingly very heavy. And the "petite four" course at the end had a lot of pieces that contain alcohol. And for someone who doesn't consume alcohol, I wish there's alternative options. Overall, great meal and amazing experience. read more

Was super excited to see someone dubbed as the best female chef in the world -- could hardly wait to get in. What a huge disappointment! I love Gordon Ramsey and have so much respect for the Michelin star. But I must have come on an off night. Very blah, ordinary boring food. Kind of stunned me. Such a disappointment. Just goes to show you: the bigger the name, the bigger the ego and the less they care. Probably all the fame was too much for her to handle. read more

I've been to several Michelin starred restaurants and sometimes they put style over substance. Core did everything right. The food was great. There's TRUE style, flavor and class. Not pretentious. read more

When I heard the news that Clare was going to open her own restaurant my excitement on waiting for this to happen was very high having tasted her food at Restaurant Gordon Ramsey and also that she had Rob Rose as her Restaurant Director you just new this was going to be a fantastic dining experience so when the day came that you could book I couldn't wait and yesterday we went and believe me it was just the amazing experience that I thought it would be. Set in a lovely location on Kensington Park Road a nice short walk from Notting Hill Station. As you enter the warm and friendly greeting that you receive is delightful and makes you feel very relaxed straight away. We decided to enjoy two excellent cocktails before lunch in the bar wher the staff were very engaging we had the Milk Punch and a specially made cocktail consisting of White & Dark Rum and Mandarin . Then came a wonderful surprise as we were being shown to a table that we thought would be I the restaurant itself instead we were seated at the Chefs Table from where you see into the open kitchen and see everything happening before you very eyes and yes it was amazing to see. So now we are greeted by Restaurant Manager Davide and the friendliness & professionalism continued and given a nice complimentary glass of Sparkling Wine while we looked at the menu. We decided to.have the Tasting Menu this which started with a fantastic selection of snacks that included Gougeres , Duck Wings and Jellied Eel. This led to our first course and what a way to start with a stunning Isle of Mull Scallop full of amazing flavours of the sea this was followed by the Charlotte Potato with herring & trout roe to be followed by a delightful Skate with shrimps & brown butter. With the experience already living up to the expectations we then moved on to the fantastic Lamb Braised Carrot with sheeps milk yoghurt plus delightful dumplings before the highlight of the menu a stunning Roast Grouse with red cabbage & bell heather just heavenly all these courses were matched superbly by a fantastic selection of wines chosen by the excellent Sommelier Now onto the desserts with a nice & light Cherry Bakewell dish before a sublime Pear and Verbena with poire williams sorbet then while enjoying ''this dessert out came an extra and it was amazing a glorious Pain Perdu with figs , honey & verjus matched again with a superb Sweet Wine this rounded of a truly outstanding dining experience I have to say that every expectation was met with the food & service being 1st class . I really can't see it being long before the awards start rolling in with Clare at the helm and her excellent Head Chef Jonny Bone who it was a delight to have met and a great team behind her you can only see this restaurant rise to the top. So yes I would highly recommend a visit and I for one will definitely be returning soon. read more

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