The Traditional English Restaurants of London

Philip Lawless first became famous in London as the Manager of the well-known Scotts Restaurant in Mount Street, where my wife and I celebrated after we got engaged in 1979.

In Feb 1982 he bought Motcombs and transformed it from a small café into a successful restaurant and bar – expanding twice over the last 20 years into the two adjoining premises.

Motcomb Street is a mere 2 minutes from Sloane Street but for years was a quiet street filled with art galleries and eccentric residents. Suddenly the “Village” has become very chic - think Parisian bijou street with a Belgravia twist! A lot of sought after designers have opened new stores recently with more to come next year.

Together with his Irish wife Jane they run the bar, restaurant and suite of private rooms which have become a London institution - they were recently awarded "Best owner managed Restaurant in London" by Harpers and Queen and Moet et Chandon. The lively bar, informal upstairs eating area, and full scale restaurant downstairs have benefited enormously from a recent full redecoration.

Located off Sloane Street, three minutes walk from Harrods - the restaurant offers an excellent value for such a superb location; however, they do rather strangely then add on a £2 cover charge, instead of including it in the price.

The Restaurant has increased steadily in popularity over the years and is frequented by a lot of celebrities and sporting personalities. The recipe for success has been to produce consistently good food at a reasonable price and to make the customer feel welcome. The menu is varied but simple in style – not a sun dried tomato or TV chef in sight.

The Bar has a terrific neighbourhood feel and is now featured in most International guide books as a welcoming place for people in their 30s and 40s who want a relaxed drink without feeling hassled or being deafened by music.

You can have your ‘vodka cranberry’ if you wish but 75% of sales are wines and champagnes. Why not stand at the bar and chat to the locals or be served in the new bar (seating for 40)? The owners are nearly always around mixing with the customers – a rarity indeed in these days of restaurant chains.

The Private Town House - The Belgravia Town - has three suites, which offer exclusive accommodation and good food at affordable prices. The unique aspect of the newly refurbished Motcombs Town House is that the private rooms have their own exclusive entrance – you do not have to wander through a hotel lobby or busy restaurant to get to your lunch, dinner or meeting. This can also be a great advantage if you are planning a birthday or celebration – you can hire out the whole house exclusively for your event. They can cater for up to 36 seated or 50 standing.

A 12.5% voluntary service charge is added to the bill.