For my 25th birthday, it was decided (around Christmas time) to go for dinner with my best friend, LuckyGirlTravel (LGT).

Now I must point out the original reason for our choice of restaurant was based upon this foodies obsession with Masterchef. From the moment Caxton Grill’s head chef Adam Handling wowed the judges with a butternut squash pannacotta my mind was made up. I need to try this mans food. The sheer inspiration of the food created had me hooked and I would go nowhere else until I had been to Caxton Grill.

So we made a day of it.

Starting our day with William Chase Extra Dry Gin and Tonics on the train and continuing with a wander through Fortnum and Mason. Popping into The Parlour for a quick beverage. Gin and Tonic Float for me, Fortnums Gin and tonic topped with their G&T sorbet. Gin, you may notice, would be a recurring theme. For my fabulous companion a glass of Prosecco di Valdobbiadene topped with F&M's wonderful Bellini Sorbet. Heaven in sundae glasses.

This was followed by a stroll to St James Park and an impromptu picnic consisting of a Blue Cheese and Pork Scotch Egg and bottle of Pink fizz, the name of which escapes me I'm afraid, basking in the sun until dinner time had arrived.

This was it. The Headliner. Caxton Grill.

Upon arrival we were greeted and seated by friendly, attentive staff. Seated close enough to the kitchen to hear some of the behind the scenes action and spot other diners choices as they go past yet not too close for it to be disruptive or be tempted to steal others plates.

To begin we each chose a cocktail, LGT has a Mrs Elegant; a wonderful mix of Laurent-Perrier NV Brut, Elderflower and White Peach. Soft, sweet and fresh. Perfectly summery. Yet also deadly, I imagine far too easy to drink.
I opted for the Chef's G&T. A wondrously verdant concoction of Tanqueray gin, dill, Pernod, Tonic and of course, lime. Anise hit the tongue first of all thanks to the Pernod followed by the bright zing from the dill and lime and finished by the dry cut of the gin and tonic. Altogether a taste sensation. If anyone can find the recipe for this I would be forever indebted to you.

Now for the food.

To start I opted for the Piglet Belly with octopus, dulse and soy consommé while LGT (having a much smaller appetite) chose some of the nibbles; Doughnuts with dressed crab and Prawn Toast with togarashi.

The piglet belly and octopus was by far my most favourite dish of the evening. The piglet belly itself melted in the mouth and the intense richness of the fatty meat was cut through thanks to dulce which tasted lightly pickled and sharp. The octopus was meaty yet delicate and soft enough to almost break apart under my fork alone.
LGT's 'nibble's' were in a league of their own. The prawn toast was delicious, the sweet clean flavour of prawn was highlighted perfectly with the spiced topping. The doughnuts were a revelation. Never before would I have thought to combine doughnuts with crab. I regret this. I could have eaten all four of them if my friend had left them unattended.

Our mains were next, LGT's choice consisted of the Vintage Ribeye with Béarnaise sauce. I chose the Monkfish with Scallop toast, yakitori and turnips. We shared an order of garlic and parsley chips, just because.

I was lucky enough to try both mine and LGT's meals thanks to her teeny appetite. The monkfish was cooked to absolute perfection with the turnips helping to brighten the whole experience. The steak was beefy salvation. Perfectly medium rare, tangy rich Béarnaise and crispy yet fluffy chips.

Dessert. Dessert was in 3 parts for me. 1st there was the palate cleanser. Apple and cucumber topped with apple sorbet and surrounded by dots of apple and G&T gel. I could have had that and been happy. Then my actual dessert I chose the Peppermint. Peppermint and Lemon sorbets, chocolate textures and peanut biscuits. The rich bitterness of the chocolate was refreshed by the contrasting sorbets and the slight saltiness of the biscuit. And finally the pièce de résistance a chocolate brownie with a candle and 'Happy Birthday' on the plate. LGT simply opted for a filter coffee with Frangelico. The coffee was superb and the petit fours were the icing on the cake.

To put a sparkler in already a perfect birthday dinner both LGT and our lovely server arranged for Head Chef Adam Handling to come and say hello as well. It was truly and honour to meet someone I admire so much, even if I couldn't get many words out of my mouth.

Caxton Grill not only lived up to but exceeded what I had expected. I will definitely be dining again in future.

La Donna rating - 10/10

Caxton Grill, Westminster. 17th May 2014.