Le Gavroche, Mayfair, London

Le Gavroche is one of the best restaurant in London, no doubt.
French dishes, classic, delicious and beautifully presented.
Outstanding service , and a memorable experience each time.

One of my favourite spots in West End. The food is always delicious and tasteful. The service is also always pleasant and professional.

Le Gavroche has got to be the No.1 restaurant in London for me. Experience old school Parisian glamour and cuisine in a traditional dining room (dress up). They do have a more affordable lunch menu but go A la Carte for the best including the best cheese soufflé you will ever taste (it’s an institution in itself- one big yummy, fluffy cloud). Also the rather distinguished and friendly Mr Roux may pop out of the kitchen and say bonjour (added bonus). (Monikasays.com)

Fantastic french cuisine by chef Michel Roux. Ultimate dining experience and great evening out.

I really enjoyed the food! Very good service!

If you are anticipating a three michelin star experience then you are going to get it.

This kind of food isn’t strictly my bag; I was there for a thirtieth; but my personal preferences are no reason to lop a star off the rating undeservedly. It’s Le Gavroche. What were you expecting? A Yorkie bar?

We opted for the set 8 course operatic explosion of gastronomy and it was incredible -with wine matched to each of the courses. There is no other word except for incredible to describe the combination of souffle Suissesse and snails and deer and various sea creatures and possibly little filets of actual angels when I wasn’t paying attention.

But speaking of paying… you very much will. This was more than £200 a head with some sparkling water for the table and a bottle of Chateauneuf du Pape to start.

Will I do it again? No! Does that mean I regret it?

Not. Even. Close.

Thanks for the wonderfull evening we enjoy it very much and come back soon

The best food I have had anywhere in the world.

Even in comparison to somewhere like Le Manoir this place is on another level.

It's not too stuffy, but still formal. The food is high quality and technical, but still fun. The food is light but you leave satisfied.

It is very expensive and very good value for money.

I have wanted to go to this place for many years and got the chance this week. The whole jacket thing is a little old-fashioned now but this was the only fault I could find.
The food was absolutely excellent. Classic French Michelin Star food at its best. The setting is extremely elegant and the service superb.
Unfortunately it is not somewhere I can afford to eat to often but would recommend pushing the boat out and giving it a try.

Le Gavroche is located on a quiet street in Mayfair (the one worth £400 on the Monopoly board) and the entrance was quite nondescript. Upon entering, we were briskly shown to our table downstairs, bypassing the ground floor parlour which contained several comfortable looking armchairs. We weren’t the first guests to arrive at 7.30pm, but it didn’t start to fill up till about 9pm, still pretty impressive for a weekday in credit crunch times.

Looking around the restaurant, the atmosphere spoke: hey buddy, this is a seriously posh traditional French restaurant, so don’t slouch, sit straight and be prepared to pay through your nose tonight. Best example I can give is the menu – there aren’t any prices listed on the ones given to the ladies. Other smaller hints: men are obliged to wear jackets, the artwork decorating the walls (apparently there’s a genuine Picasso around somewhere), and almost every piece of cutlery and dishware had their logo (Gavroche = the little boy from Les Misérables) imprinted; I was highly impressed by that, a lot of effort had obviously gone into this.

Anyway, we opted for the degustation, known as the Menu Exceptionnel here. Our waitress seemed a bit taken aback when my two friends wanted to swap the lamb course but was quick to check with chef, and came back offering alternatives.

Special mention has to be made for the wine list – correction: it’s a book, not a list. My friend was choosing the wine, so I didn’t have a thorough read, but it appeared to be predominantly French wines (unsurprisingly) with a price range that far exceeds my monthly (and nearly yearly) income; some of the bottles had five digits for their pricetag. We ended up choosing a red Pauillac that was pretty good once we let it breathe a bit in the decanter.

I found the entire meal a very pleasant and enjoyable experience. The level of service provided was top notch and very attentive. The view amongst my social circle (those I’ve spoken to about this anyway), French restaurants have a reputation for being rather ‘stuck-up’ and snobby. But au contraire, for despite our waitress looking like a stern headmistress (reminded me a lot of Prof McGonagall from Harry Potter), she was actually very nice and pleasant.

Altogether, the bill came to £135 each for the degustation, a bottle of red wine and three bottles of Evian.

This meal reminded me of the true gulf in class and quality between one and two starred restaurants and this is probably the best French meal I’ve ever had in my life (Fat Duck doesn’t count as French). Barring the sea bass, I felt all the dishes were delicious and well thought out. Also, the flavours were very strong and doesn’t pull any punches, which is more my style. The only negative aspect of the dishes is that plate presentation is rather poor, but this is probably a result of the chef’s emphasis on flavour, not appearance, which is something a bit hard to criticize really.

Would I eat here again? I would love to, but my wallet is crying.

For photos:
http://www.pigpigscorner.com/2009/09/le-gavroche-by-miche...

Went for lunch as a party of 6. They took a deposit from my card on booking, but as I am not known there & they are evidently full every day I think it fair.

Easy to find, and a nice welcome with a pleasant sit & gather area, where we were offered excellent nibbles. It was immediately apparent that this is a first class place where everyone is proud to work there and dedicated to being the best. They carry on Albert's dedication. I checked the wine list and could have chosen reasonably priced(considering where you are) from the nearly all French list. Downstairs indeed to a smart and comfortable room with nicely spaced tables. We had chosen the 'set' lunch, which is excellent value, and plenty of choices with wine included and good ones to boot. We started at 1 and left at 4.15, no hurry.
I won't go into the detail as other reviewers correctly describe the food as excellent, and I have to agree that I really enjoyed my choices.
Service was a pleasure.

I simply have to ask why I have not been before. We are spoiled for choice in London at this level though, so I'll just have to ration myself.
Do go for a first class Traditional Haut Cousine experience.

I had my birthday meal there with my parents and oh my gosh what an epic feast we had!

We opted for the tasting menu and it was wine matched and I have never felt so drunk from eating out in my whole life but it was worth it.

Here is what I had and I can say that this has to be one of the most memorable meals I have ever experienced. It is worth visiting at least once in your life, but come starving and don't expect to leave early or be able to move after wards for that matter!

Our Amuse Bouche consisted of a Foie Gras Mousse and the tartlet thing which definitely had a bit of blue cheese in and has an airdried ham rose thing on top. I drank this with a Kir Royale.

The first course was some Foie Gras that had a gingerbread crust around the outside and some pickled walnuts and cherries. This was matched with a Sauternes which was very pleasant but a little on the rich side.

The second course (and quite possibly my favorite) was the tuna tartare which was served with a Cherry beer. I thought it was crazy at first as the tuna had flavours of sesame, coriander and chilli. But if you took a mouthful of the tuna, then had a sip of the beer something really interesting with the flavors happened. The cherry with the sesame actually worked and I never thought two such things would work.

The third course was some langoustines with some thinly sliced pigs trotters which looked like it had a mustardy sauce on top and then underneath it was a green puree and it was very light but nice. This was matched with a Gewurztraminer that had also been blended with something else to which I can't quite remember. But the wine was very clean tasting and did cut through the mustard in the sauce really well.

They then gave us a glass of champagne as there was a slight gap in next course arriving.

For the fourth course we had some sea bass with parsnips and shallots. Very very simple but was the best piece of seabass I have ever eaten. This was matched with a wine that all I remember was from south west france. (My alcohol intake at this point was a glass of champagne at a place I met my parents previously, then a kir royale now 3 glasses of wine and a glass of cherry beer...I had been drinking lots of water too)

The fifth course was a cheese and onion souffle which was like eating a cheesey cloud. You could hardly get it on the spoon as it was so light and this was served with another white, I think a riesling. This course was interesting but I personally thought it was a bit of cheese overkill, given we were going to have a cheese course as part of the tasting menu anyhow! But still it was pleasant enough and was a nice follow on from the sea bass and made a good prelude to the sixth course.

Sixth course was venison with some green peppercorns and cranberries and it was lovely. Really nice and cleansing to the palate after having the souffle. This came with a red wine which wasn't a malbec but had the very similar chocolately smokiness of a malbec but sat lightly on the stomach.

Then came the cheese course! I ate a small amount of cheese but for me the highlight of this was that they had my absolute favorite red wine ever. It was matched with a 2002 Pomerol which was divine! My Mum couldn't finish her Pomerol so I helped. As for cheeses they were all excellent and they had a really interesting variety on there but I was starting to feel absolutely stuffed.

Finally we had the dessert! Which was a very beautiful upside down caramalised apple tart. Their caramel sauce was sooooo good! The ice cream was beautiful too, very vanillery and I had a candle in mine with Happy Birthday on the plate and everyone sang it to me too. The alcohol consumed by then meant that there was no embarassment to be had anymore!

Then came some petit fours, I had a toffee covered gooseberry (and by watching how drunkenly romantic my parents were getting by then) I felt that was the most apt to have!

This restaurant stands out for its outstanding food and an amazing experience. We visited at lunch, where the set menu offers superb value: it includes half a bottle of wine, mineral water and coffee, while you don’t miss out on extras including an amuse bouche and petits fours. I was particularly impressed that there was a choice of wines on this menu.

The food is gorgeous: classical French cuisine with modern touches. Service is attentive and outstandingly good, while the surroundings are comfortable and classy (rather than light or contemporary). It’s fun spotting little details like the 'gavroche’ figure on cutlery handles and the cutlery sculptures on each table.

Altogether, a lovely experience and at lunch, one offering excellent value. I’m now tempted to return for dinner…

I wish that I liked Le Gavroche more. It’s a 'proper’ restaurant with superb service and highly accomplished cooking, but….somehow the whole thing’s a bit corporate; a bit dull and disappointing compared to the many French places that have much more elan. It’s in nondescript block in Mayfair with a door that might harbour a hedge fund and there’s a cramped reception desk where you and others arrivals will huddle uncomfortably before being moved into the bar - a nice bar but nothing special. But instead of being taken on into a bright, beautiful and interesting room (think the River Cafe, though the chairs are better here), you go down into a dark, green basement that feels as though it might be the home of mermaids.

I went in telling my companions that I was looking forward to tasting a superb 'reduction’ sauce - which is really where French classical cooking stands out - but the waiter barely paused at my question before suggesting a salad. Even the dish that we eventually settled on - warm fois gras - was poorly sauced and the accompanying duck pancake almost too small to taste. The troncon de turbot was so-so - a far better one can be had at the Poisonnerie. But assiette du chef - the selection of patisserie - was justly feted, and spoons appeared as if by magic from all over the table heedless of the risk of contracting fell disease, to feast on it.

The restaurant was full - despite the £120 a head bill - which suggests that in such places 'recession’ is a relative term. But it’ll be another decade before I forget my disappointment and try again…

There is no doubt that this is a pricey restaurant but the lunch menu is fantastic value (three courses plus half a bottle of wine per person plus mineral water) for the quality of the whole dining experience. We were a little unlucky with a table right near the kitchen exit (I suspect only regulars get the good tables!) and fortunately had been forewarned about the dress code for gents. I can’t actually remember what I ordered as the whole experience merged into one gastronomic delight. The very attentive service was impressive but I found it irritating to have only taken a sip of wine and someone was over to pour some more out!

You often hear that “you get what you pay for” and, in the case of Le Gavroche, this is an absolute certainty.

You will pay a lot of money to eat here. No, you will pay one hell of a lot of money to eat here. Forget it though, because you may only ever get one chance in life to enjoy what must be the ultimate dining experience.

From the elegantly understated dining room, to the silence of the waiting staff as they glide from table to table with un-erring skill and patience to, of course, probably the best food you have ever eaten in your entire life.

From entrance to exit, your time in Le Gavroche will be something that lives with you forever. Inside, you will be able to chuckle politely as other folks rave about their “fine dining” experiences - for you know, that you have dined at the finest.

I refuse to believe there is a better restaurant than this in London. The food is simply stunnign and the staff are attentive wihtout being overly nice. As soon as you walk in you feel as if you’re being ushered into a bygone world of haute cuisine and you really are. hte menu has some modern, Asian touches - a bit of sesame here some miso there - but Michel ROux JR is such a good chef that it relly doesnt matter what he puts on the plate it will all tast amazing. the petits fours at the end of the meal were so good they made me want to start all over again. You simply have to save up and try this place. Despite being in a basement it’s the closest you get to heaven.

I have been visiting this restaurant regularly over the years and to me although I am in a similar trade it is by far the best place I have ever experienced. It is consistently excellent and has always exceeded my expectations. I would thoroughly recommend it to all.

Forget The Ivy, where all the celebrities swarm and where people go to be 'seen’, the real foodies go to Le Gavroche, a much more understated establishment in Mayfair renowned for its incredible food and service.

It has to be said that Le Gavroche offers a unique dining experience for the uninitiated; you walk into a slightly dimly-lit basement, someone will pull out your chair for you and shake your napkin into your lap. You are treated like royalty (and you should be for the price). The French art of waiting is revived here, as the waiters take pride in their work, knowledge and appearance and are incredibly charming, and can even be cajoled into singing happy birthday on occasion (I was the lucky one!)

The food defies description. I tried the milk-fed lamb from the Pyrenées back in January, and the August before I’d tried the ginger scallops; both were without a doubt the most amazing thing I’d ever tasted. Moreover, between courses (and to make it all the more special), you are plied with little amuse-bouches, tiny little morsels which only whet your appetite.

This restaurant is without a doubt one of the best, and is for those who actually want good food, not food hyped up by glitz and glamour. However, gentlemen be warned - you still need a jacket; there’s no slacking here.

This has to be the number one restaurant in London!