Marco Pierre White

A couple of weeks ago I was very kindly invited to review one of celebrity chef, Marco Pierre White's new restaurants. My intially thoughts were "oh how lovely... but would there be any food that I would be able to eat?". As many people may know I am vegetarian and also generally quite fussy about what I eat. Before deciding to visit the restaurant, I looked up the menu online and was excited to see a mixture of gormet American and Italian foods, I love italian food and knew there would be plenty I would be able to eat.

Marco Pierre White's restaurant is named 'Marco's' and is conviently situated in the Mercure Hotel in Leicester (or The Grand Hotel as most people know it). I have never been to the Grand Hotel before, but as the name suggests it is a very grand hotel. I was a little anxious about what the desired dress code would be for a hotel of this standard and a celebrity chefs restaurant, so I opted for a dress to be on the safe side.

It is not very often that my mother and I have evenings out together so I decided as a special treat to ask her to be my plus one, she is also an avid food lover and was really well placed to taste the non-vegetarian items and give her opinion.

On arrival at The hotel we walked into the impressive hall which contains a long stylish bar and plenty of comfy seats to sit and enjoy a glass or two of whatever takes your fancy. We started in the hall for welcome drinks before heading to the restaurant which is situated to the back of the hall. Once in the restaurant, you are greeted by various photos of Marco and chefs aprons in frames.

When it came to ordering our starters we were spoilt for choice, there were so many things I could eat and they all sounded delicious. We couldnt make a decission on starters so the staff very kindly made us a special platter that had most of the starters on it.

As you can see from the photo, it looks divine, and it was! I loved all of the starters; it wasnt over powered by adding any fancy sauces or dressings it was simple yet incredibly tasty. My mother, who I said at the start of this blog post isnt a vegetarian, also loved all of the vegetarian options.

For mains I opted for Mushroom Risotto and my mum had Sea Bass. The presentastion of the dishes were amazing, they invite you to dive straight in so you're very fortunate I managed to grab a photo before they were gone!

The mains did not disapoint; my risotto was just divine and my mum thoroughly enjoyed hers too.

Feeling quite full, I really wasn't sure if I would be able to manage a pudding, so I opted for limocello with icecream, it was divine, My mother chose vanilla panna cotta and she says it was the best panna cotta she has ever had!

The prices do range depending on what you have, however I was plesantly surpised at how reasonably priced it was bearing in mind it is a celebrity chefs restaurant and in the grounds of a fancy hotel.

If I am honest I know very little about Marco Pierre White, however he has certainly impressed me with the way he cooks and the simplicity and great flavours he creates that leave you asking "when can I come again?".

Marco Pierre White will be visiting his restauant in Leicester on the 26th May and will be availible to talk to; there will also be a special set three course meal.

I will certainly be heading back to Marco's, its probably just a case of how long can I resist the temptation to go back!


You can find out more on Marco's website.


Disclaimer: We were provided with complementary food and drink for the purpose of this review, however all thoughts and opinions are my own.