Motcombs Mayfair

Motcombs Mayfair was the third restaurant from Motcombs, the group whose first dining room opened on Motcomb Street in Belgravia in 1982 and whose second arrived in St John's Wood at the end of 2024. It took the 8-10 Pollen Street site that had been Pollen Street Social, a short walk from Oxford Circus and Regent Street, and set out to draw on the historic taverns of London and New York in a room of limewash walls, wooden panelling and brass fixtures.

A wooden-topped bar with a mirrored backbar and a copper-topped frontage met guests at the door, with reclaimed wooden chairs and black leather banquettes beyond it. Head chef Rafal Nowack, who ran the kitchen at Motcombs St John's Wood and had cooked at Pollen Street Social, worked an open kitchen and raw bar of fresh fish and lobster, alongside beef dry-aged in house and cooked over wood. The Belgravia classics stayed on the menu: shepherd's pie, fish and chips and the vodka penne. A first-come, first-served counter served burgers and hot dogs.

James Smith, formerly of The Ivy West Street, ran the bar, with cocktails, a sommelier's list of wine and Champagne, and Guinness on draught. Live jazz played in the bar every Thursday evening. The 65-cover restaurant was joined by a covered terrace for 18 and a private dining room for up to 16, used for business lunches and celebrations.