“This is now my benchmark for top quality restaurant hospitality.”
Word of mouth remains one of the most powerful marketing tool in the food industry. After reading several foodie tweets and recommendations from trusted source @WeTryKai ‘s @annixontong , I decided to try out Holborn Dining Room (HDR) and I have the perfect occasion for it.
Conveniently located in Holborn, HDR is known for its classic, high quality british dishes and the attentive hospitality of its Head Chef, @ChefCalum. I was looking for a place to celebrate a friend’s belated birthday. Ideally a central, decent venue, that gives us a quiet and personal space, good service and of course good food.
HIGHLIGHT:
The top notch service!
From our arrival, to the moment we stepped out of the restaurant, my guest was utterly impressed by every element of her celebration – from the food, the attentive service and the personal touches. I was of course, quietly pleased with my choice 🙂 Delighted actually.
The HDR menu
Holborn Dining Room
FOOD:
We were spoilt rotten by Chef Calum and his team. One delicious plate of food after another, left us smiling from ear to ear throughout the evening. These were the dishes happily consumed:
Cured meat
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Salt baked beets and apple salad
Haggis Scotch egg (Star dish -one of the best Scotch egg I’ve had in London. The savoury taste of the haggis surrounding the just-right soft boiled egg created a very moorish flavour combination. )
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Highland partridge, roast pumpkin, girolles in braising liquor (Star dish – everything about this dish makes my palate happy. The tender partridge + earthy girolles + sweet and soft roasted pumpkin all bathed in the intensely flavoursome braising liquor. You know one of those “umami” flavour combo that you love so much but just can’t quite get it right at home? This was it for me! )
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38-day aged Hereford Red sirloin steak
Fillet of wild halibut with hollandaise sauce
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Dessert selection (The Valrhona chocolate pot was devilishly rich. It would cure any chocolate craving.)
Highland Partridge, girolles, roasted pumpkin
Fillet of halibut
Haggis Scotch Egg
Dessert selection
SERVICE:
Outstanding! It was not only attentive but thoughtful. Some of the dishes were prepared / changed by taking into consideration my pregnant friend’s dietary restrictions. She was moved by the personal service, not something you receive at all London restaurants. Head Chef Calum also took the time to check up on us to make sure everything was smooth. The time between each course was just right, which again, is something a lot of restaurants overlook. And for the finale – we were given the grand tour of the place by Chef Calum himself. Thoroughly impressed with the level of service!
This factor alone has made it a dining experience to remember. In my humble opinion, it is definitely a clear differentiator for HDR, in the competitive restaurant landscape.
ATMOSPHERE:
From the choice of fixtures and fittings to the dim lighting, there is something to be said about the touch of old school glamour that HDR possessed. I like it! Makes the meals that bit more eventful.
PRICE:
The starters ranged from £7 to £17 (a very wide selection). Mains ranged from £14 to £35 (specials may vary). Reasonable for restaurant of this calibre.
She Lives 2 Eat 
Thank you Angela, very very kind words.
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