The place and ambience

‘Classically elegant with a warm and inviting feel’

The décor at Le Gavroche is classically elegant. The main dining room is set in a traditional forest green that exudes a quintessential old English feel and provides a superb background to the wonderful artwork adorning each wall. Take a closer look at the paintings and amongst the water colours and the impression of Mr. Michel Roux Jr. you will see paintings by Miro, Chagall and Picasso! Many fine art galleries could not boast such works of art. The lighting is subtle and adds to the cozy and inviting feel. Whilst the dining room is snug, it is also spacious and can accommodate groups as well as couples. The service is heavenly.

The waiting staff is attentive and is clearly motivated by the customers having an outstanding dining experience. Our waiter for the night explained the menu to us and I noticed that he discreetly monitored our evening, without intruding on our privacy, so that each course followed smoothly after the previous one. There is no waiting for service here!

The food

‘The best in modern French cuisine’

So can the cuisine live up to the décor and the service? The answer is a resounding “yes….and some.” After whetting our appetite with two fabulous amuse-bouche for starters, I ordered the signature dish, the Soufflé Suissesse (Cheese Soufflé cooked on Double Cream). Wow! Light, fluffy, cheesy, buttery and creamy. I would definitely recommend cheese and soufflé lovers to try this. My wife ordered the Grilled Scallops – each one succulent and cooked and seasoned to perfection. What a start to the evening.

For my main course, I ordered the Turbot and my wife ordered the Lobster with Bernaise sauce with chips fried in duck fat. More veritable culinary delights! Each dish cooked to the very highest standard. The turbot was exquisite, succulent and flavoursome, accompanied with the tastiest seasonal vegetables. The lobster was just as good; fleshy and fresh with a delectable rich and buttery sauce. My wife and I tried each other’s dishes and we could not decide which dish was better.

For dessert we indulged in the Soufflé aux Fruits de la Passion et Glace (Hot Passion Fruit Soufflé with Ice Cream). This was a sensational dish. The soufflé was everything you would expect of a soufflé, light, fluffy, creamy and the tanginess of the fruit contrasted beautifully with the cool soothing ice cream.

To complete our evening we ordered coffee with petit four (small dainty pastries) and absorbed the enchanting atmosphere of the restaurant observing the very many touches of elegance such as the fresh flowers and different bespoke cutlery sculptures on each table.

Value

“Expensive but worth it”

As you would expect, the very best food in the World will be expensive however it is worth it. A three course dinner for two will cost around £250 whereas the business lunch menu of three courses at £50 per head is a steal.

Lasting impressions

Modern French fine dining at its very best. The ideal place to celebrate a special occasion or to enjoy a romantic evening with your nearest and dearest. A high point in my culinary journey and I will certainly re-visit the next time I visit London.