W London’s Dining Series With Ben Murphy

The Dining Series first launched in 2017 to coincide with the opening of W London’s new bar and lounge, The Perception. The concept aims to welcome some of the capital’s most playful and renowned culinary talents to create a dinner menu combining their unique gastronomic identity with the daring attitude of W Hotels. Monday the 19th we headed out to an ONIN.London favourite, the W London to try the new collaboration with one of the UK’s most ground-breaking young talents, 27 year old Ben Murphy. The concept of Ben Murphy’s cooking was to take guests on a journey through his childhood memories.

So while sipping delicious cocktails such as the Purple Rain and the Call the Doctor, we waited patiently for our seven courses. Before each course we were told an interesting story about Ben’s childhood and his inspiration for each dish. I really enjoyed this concept as it added a more personable touch to dinner. 

Our meal started with an amuse-bouche; Egg n Soldiers which combines foie gras royale and a creamy
scrambled egg mousse. For someone who doesn’t enjoy foie gras, I found this egg n soldiers was delightful. |The Fluffy scrambled egg with the rich flavour of the foie gras was a perfect combination.

Our least favourite course was the chicken liver Parfait with Blood Orange – a nod to one of Ben’s grandad’s favourite ingredients – and crispy chicken skin Granola served in a bowl to be eaten like cereal. While the presentation was really fun, the textures of the frozen liver parfait with the warm chicken skin was a tad too strange for us.

Next up was the Beetroot served with a hearty braised Oxtail and Lemon Thyme consommé, inspired by Ben’s memories of eating oxtail soup in bed when under the weather. If this was the only dish on the menu, my guest and I would have been extremely happy. It was perfection.

The mains included a fancy version of a British favourite, fish & chips, using charred Hake, Jerusalem Artichoke, a Vanilla reduction and Pont Neuf potatoes and a tender Venison served with spiced Pine and roasted Parsnips. Both were scrumptious  and we gobbled these up quickly, desperate for more of Ben’s amazing cooking.

For dessert, we enjoyed Ben’s Pear served with Timur and a Hazelnut crumb, in homage to Nana Murphy’s infamous pear crumble and finally a Choc Ice, served with a honey and Milk mousse and Blackberry gel. These were the perfect light end to our extensive tasting menu.

Ben Murphy’s seven-course tasting experience will be available every day from 5pm to 11pm at £49 per
person. The Perception will also be plating up a smaller version of the menu for theatre goers during the
festive period, where diners can enjoy two courses from £17.50 between 5-7pm daily.

Murphy’s menu will be served in the hotel’s bar and lounge, The Perception until the end of February 2019, so what are you waiting for… book now.

Address:The Perception at W London, 10 Wardour Street, London W1D 6QF
Website www.theperceptionbar.com
Social media: #wdiningseries
@wlondonhotel | @benmurphychef

Written by Tegan LeBon.