Mour, a new Mediterranean-inspired restaurant in Marylebone, London, has opened its doors, offering simple luxury with freshly made pasta, fish dishes, and summer salads. Located on Seymour Street and attached to The Leonard Hotel, the restaurant is just around the corner from Gordon Ramsay's Hell's Kitchen, signaling a new contender in the area's dining scene.
A Stylish Setting in a Georgian Townhouse
The restaurant occupies a Georgian townhouse with an understated elegance. The main room features a refurbished bar area and new furniture, including cosy tufted green chairs. A newly-built courtyard offers outdoor dining in summer, with a retractable roof planned for the space, and a cosy area for winter nights.
Founder's Vision
Mour is the brainchild of founder Saachi Sehgal, who grew up next door at the hotel but is determined to make the space her own. Her enthusiasm for the venture is evident, and she aims to create something unique in a city filled with eateries.
Starters: A Fusion of Flavours
The menu offers a mind-boggling selection of starters, including salads and small plates. The tataki di seabass, served with roasted garlic ponzu sauce and spring onion, blends Japanese and Mediterranean flavours. The seabass is briefly seared over a hot flame, leaving the inside raw, allowing the strong flavour to come through. The burrata, served with seasonal tomatoes, offers an option to add chicken, smoked salmon, or egg.
Mains: Steak and Risotto Shine
For mains, the picanha steak, served with peppercorn sauce and cooked to medium (recommended medium rare), is delicious. The rich jus is flavourful enough to forgo the sauce. The seasonal mushroom risotto, with soft herbs and aged balsamic, is described by a dining companion as the "best she's ever had," suggesting Gordon Ramsay, who specialises in lobster risotto, should be concerned. Sides include triple cooked chips and Dukkah carrots coated in balsamic vinegar glaze.
Dessert: A Mixed Verdict
The dark chocolate namelaka, with sea salt and hazelnut crunch, is a letdown as the sea salt overpowers the chocolate. The layered apple tatin, with puff pastry and grand marnier, is quickly finished by the companion.
Service and Atmosphere
Waiter Daniel provides attentive service without being intrusive, topping up the reverse osmosis water bottled at Mour. Founder Saachi Sehgal meets guests, sharing her enthusiasm. The restaurant offers a calm dining spot in central London, an oasis of quiet set back from bustling Oxford Street.
Mour delivers a twist on traditional Mediterranean dining that remains authentic, transporting diners to mainland Europe. The restaurant is a welcome addition to London's dining scene, offering a unique experience that rivals established names.
