Our Review Of Silva: What We Thought Of The Slinky Mayfair Newbie

Inspired by her travels, especially to Italy and Japan, Daria Grebenyuk’s first-ever restaurant, Silva in Mayfair, only opened in November last year. But, to no surprise, it's already gained great acclaim for its unique fusion menus (which take you from breakfast and brunch to dinner and cocktails), as well as its stunning interiors, designed in collaboration with Atelier Wren (you may have seen their work at other hotspots such as Norma and House of Ming). 

And if that wasn't enough, the kitchen is led by Head Chef Slawomir Sawicki (bringing his prolific experience from Michelin-starred kitchens such as at Galvin La Chapelle and Eric Chavot). Just one look at their menu and you’ll be pulled in – every single dish reads like something you desperately want to eat, which is exactly why I headed here one warm Thursday evening.

Though intimate and warm in the evening, Silva is bright and welcoming in the day, perfect for breakfast and brunch.

DesignMyNight's Review of Silva in Mayfair

First things first, the restaurant was a total beauty. As with most of Atelier Wren’s interior designs, Silva exuded a grand, vintage vibe but with a dainty European edge. It was inarguably sophisticated, with warm, natural tones and stylish marble tables – illuminated by little glass lamps, which reminded me of sea shells, dotted through the restaurant. Silva, in Latin, means ‘forest’ – though the theme wasn't completely obvious in the main dining room, which had soft tones of pink and delicate retro patterns, if you peek into the private dining room upstairs, you'll find a luscious oasis of a room, with verdant plants surrounding a rich dark wood table, overlooked by a skylight.

While I waited for my friend, I ordered a Bonsai Margarita (£17), a fusion twist on the classic blending tequila with yuzu sake, pink pepper, chamomile, lime and tajin – a soft, sweet and somehow creamy sip. The beautifully balanced Reverse Martinez (£17) on the other hand was deliciously bitter and tart yet sweet with a hint of fig.

The Bonsai Margarita (left) and the steak tartare (right).

Food-wise, we started with the Cornish crab raviolo (£17); the pasta was perfectly made, pillowy with a nice chew, filled with tender, sweet crab meat, sitting in a pool of frothy, buttery langoustine sauce and a drizzle of herb oil. Though I was incredibly excited for the steak tartare (£19 + £9 for truffle), I was left a little disappointed – the potato waffle was cold, flavourless and a little stale, we couldn’t taste the truffle and there was no cured egg yolk to be seen. However, the actual steak tartare that sat on top had a delicious vinegary tang running through it and was well executed.

The selection of raw fish (£29) from the ‘raw’ section of the menu more than made up for this too. The scallop simply melted in our mouths, paired with a tropical-tasting clementine and yuzu sauce, the wild seabass crudo was delicate and clearly of a premium quality, matched with a jalapeno, yuzu and ginger dressing – and our favourite, the salmon tartare, was incredible. Buttery soft, perfectly fatty fish with hints of ponzu. Divine.

The selection of raw fish (left) and the lamb cutlets (right).

Now, for the mains – the lamb cutlets (£42) were tender and rich with that gorgeous fatty flavour, paired with slices of courgette and a sweet, slightly sticky marjoram jus. We also very much enjoyed the perfectly steamed halibut (£38); soft, succulent flakes pulled away with ease, paired with a bed of subtle broccoli puree, dressed with fresh sauce vierge and topped with a few strands of monks beard. On the side, the rosemary roast potatoes (£8) were super crispy and delightfully pungent with rosemary, plus the glazed carrots with mint (£8) added a touch of vibrancy to the meal.

SILVA: Overall

There’s a lot to love about Silva – the menu showcases strong European dining but with a bit of Japanese flair thrown in, and the interiors are absolutely gorgeous. But that's not all, as the food is also simply delicious, championing classic cooking and high-quality ingredients. My only qualm would be that it's a little on the pricey side, but of course you're paying for the location, stunning interiors and culinary talent.