Bacchanalia: The Guinea Pig Review

Bacchanalia restaurant

Londoners, get ready – a vibrant new Mediterranean restaurant has opened its doors in the heart of London. Bacchanalia, typically a rowdy Roman, wine-soaked affair, is the newest addition to Mayfair’s endless list of flamboyant restaurants (see Amazonico or Brasserie of Light). 

 

I got there at 6.30pm which is pretty early for dinner, (it was the only slot I could get!) and the vibe seemed pretty tame, considering Bacchanalians are all about debauchery. However an hour or so in, the music was turned up, and the atmosphere was definitely turning into something a little more exciting… 

 

Decor

Walking in, you are immediately presented with larger than life sculptures of naked Romans indulging in life’s riches, to enormous stallions, created by none other than Damien Hirst himself. This is probably the key point that takes this place from potentially tacky, to conceptually classy. Fun fact: the gigantic floating Medusa statue is apparently modeled on Damien’s girlfriend, Sophie Cannell! 

 

The restaurant definitely has taken its attention to decor seriously, with every inch of the place designed like an epic Roman party venue. From the entrance, all the way to the bathrooms. The atmosphere in Bacchanalia is electric and inviting, with decor that blends modern style with the classic Mediterranean look.

 

Food & Drink

The menu is shrouded in the essence of Bacchanalia. Essentially, sharing is caring.

 

Athinagoras Kostakos, the culinary director for the restaurant explained: “Everything here is created to be shared. The wine you drink, the music you hear, the food on the table – but also the vibe. Be curious, and share.” 

 

Bacchanalia provides the traditional flavors of the Mediterranean, as well as some unique treats. The menu features classic dishes like Greek moussaka and Italian pasta – all freshly prepared with the highest quality ingredients. However the star of the show is definitely the tiramisu. 

 

If you’ve read some of my other reviews, you’ll know that my favourite place to get tiramisu in London is at Eataly, but Bacchanalia’s added chocolate on top makes for a pleasant twist on the classic dessert.

 

The bar is stocked full for all of your favourites, and some exciting new cocktails, and there’s also an extensive wine list (30 pages long!) to cater to even the pickiest wine drinkers.

 

Here’s everything I ate at Bacchanalia:

  • Fine de Claire Oysters
  • Fried Squid
  • Grilled Greek Sausage
  • Risotto Nero, with Dorset crab
  • Crusted Baby Potatoes
  • Bacchanalia Tiramisu 

 

The food was great. Fresh produce, seasoned well and presented beautifully. The standouts for me were the oysters in a green pepper mignonette, which added a subtle spice and sourness that I hadn’t tasted with oysters before. The crab risotto was also a great pick, which you can get as a sharing portion or a single, and of course the tiramisu, but for £18 a portion, I won’t be exchanging my Eataly loyalty card just yet.

 

Price

As you can expect in an extravagant Mayfair restaurant, things don’t come cheap. For a couple of glasses of wine on the cheaper end of the menu (I shared a bottle with a friend), two oysters, shared squid, sausage and potatoes, my own portion of crab risotto, and a small shared helping of tiramisu, I paid around £125 including tip. I was pleasantly full though.

 

Overall

If you’re looking for a unique culinary experience in the heart of London, look no further than Bacchanalia. With its vibrant atmosphere, delicious food, and masterful chef, it’s sure to become one of the city’s newest hot spots.

 

Make a reservation today and get ready to immerse yourself in the raucous world of the Bacchanalians!

 

Like extravagant restaurants in London? Check out Park Row.

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