The Portman Pub in Marylebone

Having frequented Meredith’s Mayfair establishment, The Only Running Footman, on various occasions over the past few years, I jumped at the chance to head down to this new pub on the block.

The Portman sits neatly on a corner, off the chaotic Edgware Road and near to Oxford Street shopping.  It’s been painted in indigo blue and in only a few weeks has become exceedingly popular.  There are two distinct places to eat – the vibrant downstairs pub, and a sophisticated dining room upstairs.

Feeling a bit posh, when visiting The Portman last weekend I headed upstairs to the sumptuously chic fine dining area. Sitting among the elegant chairs, leather banquettes and classic wallpaper, we indulged in a tantalising feast, courtesy of Head Chef Rasheed Shahin.

My culinary companion and I started with a cobnut-crusted goat’s cheese with beetroot carpaccio and fine bean vinaigrette (£5.95) to share. For mains, said companion tucked into an open mushroom lasagne with tarragon cream and parmesan (£12.50), which was rich and luscious, but not for those watching their waist lines.

I opted for a Sunday special of roast lamb, which came complete with roast spuds, broccoli, butternut squash, cabbage and Yorkshire puds – a full plate all for £15.95, which I found very reasonable considering the enormity of the portion. There is also venison, partridge, monkfish and cod on offer with a variety of sides – although most of the dishes wouldn’t require any extra vegetables. And for those who are interested in the welfare of their meal – before it was such – The Portman uses free range, organic and RSPCA-approved produce from sustainable environments, wherever possible.

Full to the brim, but not leaving without a taste of desserts on offer, I was slightly disappointed with the look of my chocolate and honeycomb parfait with amaretto ice-cream (£5), a giant splodge. But the taste put a smile back on my face (think deconstructed Crunchie bar; yum!), and I was on a sugar high. The dining experience as a whole was relaxed and the food divine.

The Portman
51 Upper Berkeley Street
Marylebone
W1H 7PP

Tel: 020 7723 8996