L'Oranger

A small group of us had a mid week dinner here recently. We ate in the main restaurant area, which felt a little bit formal for us, and lacking a little atmosphere probably because there were very few other diners in the restaurant. We ordered various starters and mains from the a la carte menu, all dishes were good and we felt the food was good quality and not too overpriced. The winelist was extensive - quite pricy for a good red and white though. One problem for me was that even though I had booked the table, and was clearly entertaining my guests, I was handed a menu with no prices in it, and when the bill was delivered to the table it was presented to one of my male guests which I found a little disconcerting. This will stop me returning which is a shame because the food was pleasant indeed.

Had dinner there in the private room preceded with fizz to gather by in the square at the rear (It was a fine day).

Although I had eaten there before a long time ago, so was familiar with the main restaurant layout, I was not aware of the private room, which is in the basement and nicely spacious.

It was an award dinner where our society was presenting them with recognition of high standards, and this meal again as on previous visits lived up to our expectations. The staff are polite observant & knowledgeable whilst remaining approachable.

The food was outstanding in every dish, with carefully directed flavours and beautiful presentation. The wines we had were all French, and again on this visit they did very well to provide us with the quality & distinctiveness that is required to match fine food, so difficult at this level when good wine prices are out of my willingness to pay. And all from France (!).

I suspect the lunch offer is the one to go for, in this area dinner may be only for those with a new inheritance.

This place transports you away from central London to make you believe you could be in a courtyard in some French town.
The restaurant is very cute, and appealing, with not suprisingly an orangerie feel to it!
The staff here are fantastic and obviously know their stuff, as well as working here for year (loyalty always pays off). The sommelier was great, as was the manager.

The evening we went was very quiet, as apparantly a large party had cancelled days before, with no background music it can seem a bit daunting. I am told on a Friday & Saturday night a pianist comes in to fill the rooms with music.

The food was delicious. I ate Artichoke ravioli, followed by Beef Fillet 'Rossini’, which was cooked to my perfection. To cleanse your palette before more, the most amazing vanilla and chocolate infusions, i would have been happy with more of those! For desserts a mavelous chocolat fondant, along with lemongrass and coconut cream (yum) and macaroons as part of the petit four, was surely a winner! Even a cellaphane wrapped cake to take home with me - fantastic little touches.

This definetly isn’t cheap but a lovely little surreal escapism from London life. Truley worth the visit - i hope to return in the summer when the courtyard is open!

I cannot believe I have not written a review on L’Oranger yet, one of my all time favourite restaurants. My favourite table faces the door and is right at the back of the restaurant, a dark red leather couch which is perfect to sink back into between courses.

The food is certainly worth dreaming and writing about. The Tomato Gazpacho Soup with Courgetttes … in your soup bowl is a parcel made of courgette slices raffia-weaved together with amazing effect. Next the waiter pours the gazpacho to a depth that leaves the courgette parcel just peeking out. The soup is delight of tomato acidity and sweetness with a touch of herb, break into the parcel carefully and inside are tiny cubes of mozzarella cheese, a perfect marriage with the soup.
Do try the Langoustine Tempura with avocados, mangos parfait and garlic foam. Tempura is just right for the delicacy of langoustine. The presentation, almost calculated in its accuracy but not one of those annoying new set ups where one is scared to upset the tower like construction and bring it down to what could be your lap. It’s all laid out in a way that lets you enjoy the different combinations, the tempura is perfectly oil-free and so light it almost floats on the garlic foam.
The main dish are top quality and mostly very simple. Top quality comes elegantly plated with fresh summer vegetables. L’Oranger serves cheese properly … before dessert … and all the cheeses are chosen for aroma and texture.
Regretfully most wonderful things come to an end, but their desserts do not do you in. I can recommend the Milk Chocolate Mousse Cannelloni With red berry jam and Chocolate Sorbet it’s a rare taste … light as a feather and jolly decadent to boot.
L’Oranger has a fine blend of classic service and high quality cuisine, together with an ambience you can’t buy, it is unique in several aspects.
Don’t you hate it when, just as you have your mouth full, the restaurant manager appears at your elbow with an ‘Is everything all right ?’ then stands expectantly with a grin on his face awaiting the inevitable ‘Yes, fine thanks,’ before moving on to the next victim. Well you don’t get any of that at L’Oranger. Here the service is always personal with the Maitre d’ managing to make each table feel it’s receiving his personal attention. When he appears at your side it is always between courses, and more for a spot of conversation than any thing else - possibly could be to do that my companion was is a regular foodie there, but I have observed the same treatment for others.

Excellent! The (French) food is really great, while the main restaurant is a bit formal and boring (ie business dinners and/or over 45 guests in general), the private room next to the main restaurant (right on St James Street) is quite amazing. It looks a bit like a living room and dining room of a small old country house, with very British print wallpaper, sofas and fireplaces around, and also lots of 19th century satirical caricatures and drawings on the wall. Really charming, and right on St James St in the heart of London. The food and service were superb: Mushroom soup, followed by beef fillet with potato gratin and tapenade, ending with a very very good chocolate fondant… and of course excellent wines. I was lucky to be invited, it was a really enjoyable and interesting evening in a perfect location for a smart and intimate business function. I hope I get invited again…

For a real treat, or special occasion, L'Oranger cannot be beaten. The menu features a regularly changing selection of French dishes, which is only surpassed by the wines on offer. A sommelier is on hand to help you find the perfect partner to your meals.

The surroundings are elegant, particularly on the ground floor, where a centrepiece of flowers is positioned under an impressive skylight. Often parties are placed downstairs, although I do not know how this feels.

This is an expensive restaurant, and I would not expect change out of £150 for an indulgent meal for two (I am not saying this needs to be the case). The lunchtime set menu is much, much cheaper. Although pricey, this is in no way over-priced.