Towering stone castles, knights in shining armor, and beautiful ball gowns might first come to mind when thinking about 14^th century. Much of what historians know about this period in Europe stems from literature and first hand documents. However, to truly step back in time, one must turn to the food. Dinner by Heston Blumenthal revives classic centuries old English dishes, weaving in modern touches along the way. This restaurant has made a name for itself in London; earning the 65th spot on The World’s 50 Best Restaurants, and two Michelin stars from 2013 to the present day.

Founder and self-taught chef, Heston Blumenthal, was fascinated with historic gastronomy. He spent countless hours studying 14th century English cookbooks, including those by King Richard II’s chefs. Realizing that these recipes could be brought back to life in the modern day, he desired for guests to be served a taste of classic royal dishes. By further collaborating with food historians and the Hampton Court Palace, Blumenthal founded Dinner by Heston Blumenthal. Jon Bowring is now the current head chef and has been cooking since he was 13 years old.

Right upon entry, the dining room radiates a contemporary and modern feel, but also captures English tradition. Modeled after the royal court, floor-to-ceiling glass walls open up the grand space and even provide guests a view of the kitchen and Hyde Park. Ivory-painted walls decorated with custom made porcelain wall sconces reinforce the history that the restaurant so greatly emphasizes

Heston Blumenthal, along with chef Ashley Palmer-Watts, carefully crafted a menu that revived classic recipes with a modern twist. The À La Carte menu is available seven days a week and offers a variety of dishes which were revamped thanks to historical cookbooks. Next to each item on the menu is the year the dish dates back to. For starters, a hay smoked salmon served with pickled lemon salad or the truffle and mushroom parfait are available. Main courses such as spiced squab pigeon, black foot pork chops, or the hereford ribeye are just a few of the options guests can select from. Desserts ranging from brown bread ice cream to traditional British cheeses conclude the menu.

Along with the À La Carte menu, Dinner by Heston Blumenthal offers a five course tasting menu. The tasting experience begins with a mandarin chicken liver parfait, followed by an octopus served with pickled dulse, salmon dressed and champagne, and spiced squab pigeon served alongside onions and artichokes. To conclude, guests can choose between the tipsy cake or ghost milk cheesecake for dessert. The menu was specifically curated to tell a story with each dish from start to finish.

For any guest seeking a sense of exclusiveness while dining, the restaurant offers a behind the scenes dining experience. The Chef’s Table provides insight into all of the activity that goes on in the kitchen to give guests a first-hand account of where their meals come from and how they are prepared. Parties of four-six people are provided with a menu that is served directly by the chef. Throughout the duration of the stay, parties will have their own sommelier to guide wine pairings with every course. With the option to choose between a six or eight course menu, guests have the opportunity to personalize their dining experience on an intimate level.

Private dining options are also available for up to 12 guests. Inside the private dining room, guests will be enchanted by the 16th century Tudor architectural style space. Three or five course tasting menus are provided along with three wine pairing choices. Dishes will be served on the oval sapele and rosewood dining table, as guests are seated in elegant chairs draped in rich, deep red velvet fabric. This experience provides guests with true historical dining amenities that are topped off with modern twists and touches.

From first bite to the final scrape of a fork against the plate, guests will dine like royalty. Dinner by Heston Blumenthal is a restaurant that values tradition within the kitchen. The 14th century inspired dishes reintroduce guests to some of England’s greatest meals and cuisine techniques. Heston Blumenthal’s passion for history and fine dining is evident throughout this restaurant, serving as a medieval time capsule.