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Visited in 2013 !
I went to Paris for the first time, as a student to learn French cuisine at Le Cordon Bleu, and it was during this trip that I, like many other visitors there, experienced the Great Awakening - the moment at the table that changes entirely one's relationship to food. In low moments, nothing lifts my mood like the thought of Paris - the thought of eating in Paris.
When I went back to India, I used to find French cafes and have their watered down coffees and factory made breads, but I used to imagine that I am having the same in Paris, and that thought filled me with contentment. Though I was aware that I am not in Paris !
And then here I was in London, re discovering mon amour pour Paris.
I happened to go with a friend to this restaurant because of admiration for Marco Pierre White.
Upon being seated we ordered a bottle of Pomerol Chateau L'Eglise Clinet (£185). The wine had a really deep colour and with the first sip I could taste oak, truffle, plums, smoke and charcoal ! And after it remains in your mouth for a good 60 seconds I could taste some spice, which I think was five spice, but I aint sure of that.
So for my starters I ordered Goats cheese parcel, poached pear and walnut salad (£9.50) and also Pea soup with fresh truffle (£8.95). The goats cheese was just simply amazing and the pear was poached just right and I didn't have to struggle with my knife to cut it. All in all the whole combination just worked beautifully. The pea soup I think got overpowered by the truffle, but it wasn't that bad !
For my mains I ordered Roasted vegetable & feta cheese parcel, new potatoes, haricot verts, beurre blanc (£15.95). Yeah I know it was again some parcel but the other options for vegetarian mains were gnocchi(yes, again) and tagliatelle ! But I wasn't disappointed with my dish anyway. The vegetables screamed FRESH !!
So on to the dessert and one look at the options I was disappointed again. If you read my blogs you will know, how I have always said that all the great chefs make amazing food but 99 % of the time fail to deliver a good dessert. I don't know why, but that's how my experience has been so far. Oh well, maybe I will find that perfect place where I will get my perfect dessert. Anyway for desserts I had Panna cotta with lavender, rhubarb compote (£7.50).
All in all I would say Marco Pierre White has done a good job and his chefs are keeping up with the reputation of serving some good food. Though its understandable as to why it doesn't have any Michelin stars (Marco Pierre White has a open hatred for the guide and its people, and somewhere even I agree with his view that the guide has become biased in giving out stars).
This is such a pleasant change from the usual cozy little London restaurants one is used to. Set in a quaint, medieval type setting, full of light and space, I went with an office group and loved it. The food was fresh and subtly flavoured and the service was perfect. The only thing that jarred a bit were some of the interiors which seemed a bit tacky in comparison to the rest.
You feel like visiting a restaurant in the woods while London is around you. Great location and a beautiful classic restaurant a bit dated although but still giving the good atmosphere. Happily tables are not close to each other. We had a lovely diner well balanced and provided by the right wines. Staff was very friendly.
The starter (foie gras pate) was delicious but only one slice of toast (you needed two), and the mains were of the very highest standard; the roast chicken was actually about half a chicken, and the suckling pig was also very generous. The puddings let them down.
We would certainly go again and there is the bonus of easy parking in the park.
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