Le Gavroche, anyone been ?

[TeeRev]

In another thread I asked about restaurants near Marble Arch. There were a few recommendations and I started a bit of research and have shown my wife several menus. Greigs, Petit Maison and Locatellis looked good, I was quite interested in the Maze but my wife didn't see anything she liked, unfortunately we both really liked the sound of Le Gavroche.

I know it's pretty pricey but is there any other reason why we shouldn't go there for my birthday or is there anywhere better for less money ?

[Output Flange]

Nope, do it. It's very good.

[Diamond blue]

Le Gavroche is very good indeed in a classic French style. Its the original Roux brothers restaurant currently run by (though he's not the chef anymore) Michel Roux.
The food is superb, the decor is dark, grand and a trifle old fashioned.
Lunch is great value there.

Maze is unusual in that the dishes are small tapas style so you order lots of dishes in almost any order you like.So if you want say 2 or 3 fish dishes and no meat,or the reverse you can do it. I like it a lot, both the concept and the food but Jason Artherton was the chef at the time and he's moved on to Pollen Street Social now.

Others I liked in the area. Marcus Wareing at the Berkeley Hotel, The Greenhouse in Mayfair and , personally The Square.

Locatelli is meant to be very good but I've never been able to get in myself and people who know seem to think that Zafferanos is at least as good if you like Italian.

[lauda]

I tried to get a reservation there recently for May but they were already fully booked so have ended up at Alain Ducasse at the Dorchester instead. Like Le Gavroche they do a very good value lunch menu (£55 for three courses, wine, water and coffee) but would still rather have gone to Le Gavroche.

Let us know how you get on as it's an itch that I need to scratch so I'm sure I'll try and book again at some point in the future.

[FunBusMk2]

I did the dinner tasting menu at Alain Ducasse on Saturday night and it was very, very good. Before Saturday night Le Gavroche was my favourite but it's now jostling for top spot with Alain Ducasse.

[Diamond blue]

FunBusMk2 said:

I did the dinner tasting menu at Alain Ducasse on Saturday night and it was very, very good. Before Saturday night Le Gavroche was my favourite but it's now jostling for top spot with Alain Ducasse.

I think Marcus Wareing is as good myself. Love Ducasse but its very expensive. My own pet hate being the ameuse being very nice fresh dipping vegetables and a herb dip. Disappointing in a 3 star Michelin. Get the Foie gras out for gods sake man!!!

[FunBusMk2]

Expensive, yes I don't deny that. We had a different Amuse bouche than you refer to and it was one I felt was in keeping with a 3 star restaurant.

[pointedstarman]

If you're going as far from Marble Arch as MW then I'd also throw Hibiscus into the mix. I've not been to Alain Ducasse or Le Gavroche (though I've been to Waterside and expect it to be similar) but would rate both MW and Hibiscus as two of the best restaurants I've eaten in London albeit completely different from one another. At this level it's all about personal preference.

[Desiato]

Do it, go, you will not regret it! We have eaten in some very nice restaurants and Le Gavroche is right up there with the very best.

[Diamond blue]

FunBusMk2 said:

Expensive, yes I don't deny that. We had a different Amuse bouche than you refer to and it was one I felt was in keeping with a 3 star restaurant.

Don't get me wrong I think its a worthy 3 star place no doubt.It was ironic though that the ameuse when I went was the same as the Louis XV in Monte Carlo (Also Ducasse) where one of the 2 set menus didn't feature any meat or fish at all and was priced at 180 euros a pop. Ouch.

Still fabulous though. The best dining room I've ever eaten in.

Edited by Diamond blue on Monday 12th March 19:56

[birdcage]

I have been a several times but I prefer Gordon Ramsey Hospital road or Helene Darroze at the Connaught both of which I have been to in the last couple of weeks.


Failing that go to 34 on South Audley St...More fun as they have live jazz (not in loud way) and good atmosphere

The Michelin stars are all well and good but diners tend to be split between the high rollers and the anniversary crowd so the ambience can be a bit strange...

[w00tman]

Ducasse has the better lunch for my money, but the tasting menu at Gavroche was fantastic (and, also, £370 with matching wines!!).

Pyrannian Lamb, the souffle Suisse, the banana and rum dessert.. sigh

[FunBusMk2]

Next on my list to try in London is the Ledbury in Notting Hill - I've heard very good things of it.

[Diamond blue]

FunBusMk2 said:

Next on my list to try in London is the Ledbury in Notting Hill - I've heard very good things of it.

On my list certainly. Also Pollen Street Social and Helene Darozze.
I liked Texture a lot too.

But the key is catching a talented chef on the up before they've made it as such I reckon. When their pulling all the stops out to impress and build the reputation.

[pointedstarman]

Diamond blue said:

FunBusMk2 said:

Next on my list to try in London is the Ledbury in Notting Hill - I've heard very good things of it.

On my list certainly. Also Pollen Street Social and Helene Darozze.
I liked Texture a lot too.

But the key is catching a talented chef on the up before they've made it as such I reckon. When their pulling all the stops out to impress and build the reputation.

Agreed. Have to say I didn't that Pollen Street Social was as good as the Jason Atherton version of Maze.

[DoctorX]

w00tman said:

Ducasse has the better lunch for my money, but the tasting menu at Gavroche was fantastic (and, also, £370 with matching wines!!).

Pyrannian Lamb, the souffle Suisse, the banana and rum dessert.. sigh

£370 a head?

[TeeRev]

Thanks very much for all the interesting thoughts guys, the depth of knowledge here is proving really useful for me as I get up to London so rarely these days. Unfortunately I ended up being unexpectedly busy today so have only just got around to checking in here and thinking of this again.

Along with the Ivy which a friend mentioned I've just checked out a few of your recommendations and the one that jumped right out at me was no 34, (thanks for that one birdcage). I'm a confirmed carnivore and when I saw the list of steaks that could be grilled on a proper parilla I started dribbling straight away, I've never eaten wagyu and now may be just the time to try it.

There was plenty of other stuff on their menu to keep the missus happy as well, so that's now in the running along with Le Gavroche. I'm going to make some time tomorrow to make a few calls and see who has any space for next Monday evening, that might end up to be the deciding factor as I know I'm leaving it pretty late now.

Once the bookings made I'll report back.

[FunBusMk2]

I thought Le Gavroche was c.£160 per person for the 'menu exceptional' with wine?

[Diamond blue]

TeeRev said:

Thanks very much for all the interesting thoughts guys, the depth of knowledge here is proving really useful for me as I get up to London so rarely these days. Unfortunately I ended up being unexpectedly busy today so have only just got around to checking in here and thinking of this again.

Along with the Ivy which a friend mentioned I've just checked out a few of your recommendations and the one that jumped right out at me was no 34, (thanks for that one birdcage). I'm a confirmed carnivore and when I saw the list of steaks that could be grilled on a proper parilla I started dribbling straight away, I've never eaten wagyu and now may be just the time to try it.

There was plenty of other stuff on their menu to keep the missus happy as well, so that's now in the running along with Le Gavroche. I'm going to make some time tomorrow to make a few calls and see who has any space for next Monday evening, that might end up to be the deciding factor as I know I'm leaving it pretty late now.

Once the bookings made I'll report back.

Good call on 34 if you like meat. The Ivy is perfectly nice but its food is not in the same league as some of the others here. Its a big social celeb eatery of course but not a serious kitchen.
If you want to have some seriously good food and you're near The Ivy, go to Atelier Joel Robuchon a couple of doors away. Excellent and it has the tapas style of lots of small dishes a la Maze.

Monday evening should be fine, in fact some may be closed.

Edited by Diamond blue on Monday 12th March 23:06

[FunBusMk2]

TeeRev said:

I'm going to make some time tomorrow to make a few calls and see who has any space for next Monday evening, that might end up to be the deciding factor as I know I'm leaving it pretty late now.

I once got a table for two at Tom Kitchin's restaurant (1*) in Edinburgh on the morning of the evening we were there - took a 'if you don't ask you don't get' attitude and it paid off.