Rhodes Twenty Four
| Company type | Restaurant |
|---|---|
| Industry | Hospitality, Food service |
| Founded | 2003 |
| Founder | Gary Rhodes |
| Defunct | 2014 |
| Headquarters | London , United Kingdom |
| Products | Modern British cuisine |
| Parent | Restaurant Associates |
Rhodes Twenty Four was a Michelin-starred dining establishment situated in the City of London, managed by renowned chef Gary Rhodes from 2003 until its closure in 2014. Positioned on the 24th floor of Tower 42 (previously known as NatWest Tower), it provided sweeping views of the cityscape.
Description
Following the shutdown of City Rhodes and Rhodes in the Square, Rhodes Twenty Four commenced operations in 2003, taking over a location that had been occupied by Roux Fine Dining. The restaurant focused on modern British cuisine, initially branded as "Very British Fayre". Chef Gary Rhodes was introduced to this venue through Albert Roux, who facilitated his connection with the company responsible for refurbishing the former Restaurant Twentyfour. The initial agreement included management of the restaurant, private dining areas, and bar for a duration of five years. Backed financially by Restaurant Associates, the menu showcased signature creations from Rhodes such as his famed bread and butter pudding and jaffa cake dessert.
Rhodes articulated his goals for the establishment: "If we never get a Michelin star here, I will be very disappointed, but what I really want is customers." The restaurant achieved a Michelin star in 2005 and maintained this accolade until its closure, representing one of two Michelin-starred venues run by Gary Rhodes within London.
Reception
Shortly after its launch in November 2003, Fay Maschler awarded the restaurant four out of five stars, describing the cuisine as satisfying and substantial. Accompanying her, Rick Stein commended a dish featuring potted mackerel with gooseberry jelly as "quite nice stuff." Marina O'Loughlin from the Metro also gave a four-star rating, emphasizing the offering as "superior comfort food with a view." Giles Coren of The Times encountered difficulties securing a reservation until revealing his critic status; he characterized the menu as "standard" for Gary Rhodes but "competent," assigning it a score of six out of ten.
A review published in The Independent in January 2004 compared the ambiance to that of a "boardroom" yet praised the use of suet and mutton, awarding thirteen out of twenty points. Toby Young from the Evening Standard rated it two stars in 2005, describing the food as "OK, but nothing special," and critiqued its strict adherence to locally sourced, seasonal ingredients. In 2008, Mark Bolland reviewed the venue for the same publication, likening its atmosphere to an airport terminal; he found the menu inventive with characteristic Rhodes elements but noted slow and mechanical service, giving it three out of five stars.
From 1 May 2014 onward, the premises have been home to City Social, a collaboration between Jason Atherton and Restaurant Associates.