Rockwell Bar & Restaurant

Step through the door from bustling Trafalgar Square and a sense of calm instantly descends upon the weary traveller – it’s immediately apparent that you’re in for a unique experience at Rockwell, the Trafalgar’s award-winning bar.

Relaxing is the name of the game, reflecting the hotel’s philosophy to eliminate barriers and boundaries so that the traditional lobby/bar/restaurant divisions disappear. Rockwell features excellent live music every day, designed to be appreciated without being intrusive and at night, DJ’s spin the latest tunes from their perch next to the extensive bar. The bar has been strikingly transformed both architecturally and in its interior design. Featuring black leather armchairs and sofas, white lacquer tables and walnut polished floors Rockwell has a sleek and understated new look. Rockwell has one of the largest Bourbon collections in London and a wide selection of cocktails.

Follow the elegant stairs to the recently renovated restaurant below and prepare to be impressed. The open plan kitchen allows a view into the busy kitchen where food is prepared with care and the obvious assurance of those who know their craft well. Sumptuous black leather armchairs are placed casually around the slightly high tables, encouraging the visitor to lounge in their seat and dine at leisure, the generous spacing between tables ensuring privacy without isolating diners.

Chef Diego Jacquet has clearly brought his influence to the imaginative ‘tapas’ menu. The sophisticated menu of small dishes is designed for tasting a selection of flavours and to share and the food that Chef produces is in a word, heavenly.

The tapas philosophy is reflected in that the 20 or so dishes are not divided into the traditional starters and main courses but all can be enjoyed as both with prices ranging from a very reasonable £8 to £17 a dish. For larger groups, there is a long table available where dishes can easily be shared between friends.
The shrimp and pork belly is absolutely to die for, and have a friend take the gravlax salmon cannelloni. The delicious oysters are quite simply the biggest we’ve ever seen, coming fresh from Scotland every day, seasoned with mango-chilli vinaigrette and garnished with Oscietra caviar.

The black Angus beef fillet is cooked to perfection, the delicate flavours mixing easily with the accompanying apple puree. For those watching their waistlines, we recommend the green salad, which far from being predictable features artichoke mousse. Another of our favourites was the soya and honey glazed duck with bok choi ragout - simply melt in the mouth!

The dessert selection has been well developed with all tastes in mind. We highly recommend the crème brûlée. For chocolate fans the panna cotta is a must with the delicate flavours complemented by blood orange syrup and ice cream and the cheese selection arrives on a tray with carefully selected accompanying flavours for each different cheese.

It is fair to say that once you have had the Rockwell experience, you are sure to return.