Heston Blumenthal's medieval dinners already a modern classic

It has only been open for two months but Heston Blumenthal's London restaurant Dinner has already won its first award.

The new brasserie at the Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park was one of the most eagerly anticipated openings for some time.

Keen not to create The Fat Duck mark two, Blumenthal has used historic recipes to conjure up medieval classics such as the Meat Fruit - a ball of chicken liver parfait encased in orange-coloured jelly and topped with a leafy stalk resembling a glossy mandarin.

Appreciation of his cuisine has now seen Dinner crowned Square Meal magazine's best new restaurant.

In an interview with the spring edition of the magazine, to be published next month, the 44-year-old chef said he may consider opening more brasseries.

"If it works, settles down and all goes well, then it's something that I would consider doing in other countries," said Blumenthal.

"I'm kind of excited now, but on the first day of opening I wasn't because I didn't know how the response was going to be. But it really seems to have touched a nerve. It's been quite overwhelming."

More than 6,000 reservations were taken on the first day when booking lines opened in December. The chef said he would be thrilled if the restaurant could now begin to emulate his three-Michelin-starred establishment in Bray.

He said: "Dinner is really a modern dining experience. It is in a very grand location yet the atmosphere is very relaxed. It's the type of restaurant you can enjoy for a special occasion or just pop in for a great steak and glass of red. These are the elements that make up Dinner and if in the process Michelin recognise us for a star then that would be fantastic."

However Blumenthal insisted there will never be a second Fat Duck.

"The middle of last year was the first time in 15 years that I've really been happy with the place. So I decided that I'm never going to do another one. It stays in Bray, it's comfy, it's mine."