Perched above London‘s Leicester Square, Orion by Alex Webb is aiming to do something few hotel restaurants manage: draw in both overnight guests and city diners with equal force. Helmed by MasterChef: The Professionals winner Alex Webb and housed within the W London, the restaurant promises a menu that fuses polished technique with playful, nostalgia-tinged British flavours. For business travellers, it offers the prospect of a destination dining room that doubles as a convenient spot for client entertaining, working dinners or solo meals at the counter. This review assesses whether Orion delivers on its ambitions – in the kitchen, on the floor and as part of a broader stay in the capital.
Atmosphere and Design at Orion A Contemporary Take on City Dining
Subtle yet theatrical,the dining room feels like a polished film set for the modern business crowd. Muted greys and inky blues form the backdrop, punctuated by warm pools of light that fall precisely on tables rather than faces, making it ideal for discreet conversations or late-night deal-making. Floor-to-ceiling windows frame the city like a moving canvas, while the gentle hum of an open kitchen adds energy without overpowering the room. The design balances comfort and edge: banquettes with just enough give, sculptural pendant lights, and artwork that nods to London’s skyline without straying into cliché.
The space has been carefully engineered to flex between working lunch and celebratory dinner,a fact that becomes clear in both layout and acoustics. Smaller tables line the edges for more private meetings, while central booths host louder groups without disrupting the overall calm. Key design elements include:
- Lighting: Layered, dimmable fixtures that shift the mood from daylight clarity to evening intimacy.
- Seating: A mix of bar stools, lounge-style chairs and semi-private booths for different business needs.
- Sound: Soft furnishings and concealed panels keep conversations confidential.
- Technology: Discreet power outlets and strong Wi-Fi, integrated without visual clutter.
| Design Feature | Business Benefit |
|---|---|
| Curved booths | Encourages focused group discussion |
| Soft, neutral palette | Keeps attention on people and plates |
| Open kitchen view | Adds buzz without breaking privacy |
From Tasting Menu to À La Carte Standout Dishes Worth Ordering
While the ten-course journey remains Orion’s headline act, the kitchen is canny enough to spin its greatest hits into standalone plates that work for time-poor business diners. The charred Cornish mackerel with cucumber and buttermilk arrives like a stripped-back synopsis of Webb’s style: fiercely seasonal, precisely plated, but free of unneeded theater. The slow-cooked beef cheek, glazed in a glossy red wine reduction, is another high-return order, delivering all the depth of the tasting menu‘s meat course without the need to commit an entire evening. For those seeking lighter options, the chalk-stream trout with shaved fennel and citrus is both sharp and refreshing, designed to be finished before the next conference call.
- Charred Cornish mackerel – bright, saline and lifted by cool buttermilk.
- Slow-cooked beef cheek – rich, comforting, ideal for late-night check-ins.
- Chalk-stream trout – clean flavours tailored to business lunches.
- Truffle potato terrine – a side so indulgent it threatens to upstage the mains.
| Dish | Best For | Time at Table |
|---|---|---|
| Mackerel & buttermilk | Quick solo supper | ~45 minutes |
| Beef cheek | Post-meeting dinner | ~60 minutes |
| Chalk-stream trout | Working lunch | ~40 minutes |
Service Dynamics and Timing What Business Travellers Need to Know
Business diners will find the pace here calibrated with an eye on both pleasure and punctuality. From the moment you’re seated, staff ask discreetly about onward plans, allowing the kitchen to adjust the rhythm of the meal without compromising presentation. Courses arrive in a smooth,almost choreographed flow; plates are cleared swiftly,water and wine are topped up before you need to ask,and the bill appears promptly when requested-no awkward hand‑raising required. The team communicate quietly across the floor, ensuring that meetings in progress are not interrupted, and that laptops and documents are accommodated without fuss.
For those with tight connections or post‑dinner conference calls, there are clear strategies to keep the evening on schedule:
- Signal your timing at the outset-pre‑theatre or “back at the hotel by nine” gives staff a concrete deadline.
- Opt for set menus for predictability; these are paced more tightly than sprawling à la carte tastings.
- Batch your orders-drinks, starters and mains together-to reduce pauses between courses.
- Request the bill with dessert or coffee if you’re working to a hard stop.
| Visit Type | Recommended Duration | Service Approach |
|---|---|---|
| Solo business dinner | 60-75 mins | Fast, unobtrusive, focused on turnaround |
| Client meeting | 90-120 mins | Slower pacing, more space between courses |
| Team party | 120+ mins | Relaxed tempo, extended drinks and dessert |
Best Tables Booking Tips and Pairings for a Productive Business Meal
For time-pressed executives, securing the right table at Orion can be the difference between a meandering lunch and a sharply focused strategy session.Request a banquette or corner table away from the bar to minimise background noise and protect confidentiality, and clearly state you’re hosting a business meeting when booking; staff are quick to adjust lighting, spacing and pacing accordingly. Aim for early lunch (12:00-12:30) or a post-peak dinner slot (after 20:30) for fewer interruptions and a calmer dining room. Before you arrive, confirm Wi-Fi access and ask for a table with a nearby power socket if laptops are essential.Subtle planning like pre-selecting a set menu or agreeing a maximum duration with the restaurant helps keep the meeting on schedule and the conversation on topic.
- Choose low-fuss dishes that won’t demand your full attention or risk awkward spills.
- Opt for carafes or by-the-glass wine so you can match the tone of the meeting and avoid over-ordering.
- Pair lighter starters with sparkling water or a crisp English fizz to keep energy levels steady.
- Save richer mains for celebratory deals and keep negotiations to the earlier courses.
| Meeting Type | Suggested Order | Drink Pairing | Ideal Table |
|---|---|---|---|
| Introductory Coffee | Light dessert or cheese | Espresso or herbal tea | Window two-top |
| Negotiation Lunch | Two-course set menu | Still water, one shared carafe | Quiet corner banquette |
| Deal Celebration | Tasting menu | English sparkling wine | Larger round table |
Closing Remarks
In a city where aspiring openings are a weekly occurrence, Orion distinguishes itself less through gimmickry and more through quietly confident execution. Alex Webb’s cooking is assured, the service polished without being overbearing, and the setting well-judged for both client entertaining and relaxed post-work dinners. It may not yet have the name recognition of London’s long-established flagships, but it already operates with the composure of a restaurant aiming for that tier. For business travellers seeking a dependable, contemporary dining experience within reach of the capital’s commercial hubs, Orion merits a place on the shortlist.
