Galvin La Chapelle is a Michelin starred, ‘Best Restaurant of the Year’ award-winning French restaurant situated around Liverpool Street, and it truly delivers on its reputation.
Located in an old chapel (hence the name La Chapelle), the original vaulted ceiling and columns, coupled with the elegant interior design, creates an air of sophistication that certainly stops you in your tracks.
The service was impeccable. After our coats were taken at the door, Miruna and I were seated at one of the large round tables with crisp white table cloths in the main section of the restaurant. Offered a glass of champagne to start, we sat and lounged in the splendour. The head waiter introduced himself and knew the restaurant and the food inside out. Any questions I had for him were answered with care and attention, his attentiveness excellent.
Putting it straight, the food was fantastic. The presentation for all dishes was stunning, a food blogger’s delight. The colours of the yellowfin tuna dish were a spectrum with the deep purple of the ‘Johnny Jump Up’ flowers in between the red and yellows. The tuna melted on your tongue just as tuna cooked this way should, and the foie gras had a wonderful flavour.
The red mullet was not my favourite if I’m honest, but that may be just because I find the taste to be quite bitter. The way it was cooked and presented, nevertheless, was excellent so if you are partial to a slightly tangy fish I would recommend. The beef was lovely, a real dense steak cooked well. I hadn’t ever had bone marrow before, and I’m not sure I was ever looking forward to trying it. Presented still in the split bone, I had to ignore all thoughts of what I was eating to try the delicacy. I was incredibly surprised at the taste, a delightful flavour, but the texture was so fatty (as bone marrow is) that I don’t think I’ll be having this again.
The truffle potatoes, though: oh my… They were genuinely the nicest mashed potatoes I have ever had in my life, perfectly textured and with the most unbelievable flavour with the truffle. I actually think out of the whole lunch the potatoes were my favourite, which as a statement is quite amusing.
The dessert came as a very close second. The Valhrona Caramelia chocolate was rich and intense, and when matched with the smooth texture of the pannacotta, it was delightful. The honeycomb and poached quince added something extra to the dish, overall creating a perfect blend of flavours and textures. The dessert wine must also be noted. Again La Chapelle pulled it out of the bag with this pairing. The sweetness and ease of consumption balanced it perfectly with the dessert and I was incredibly tempted to buy a bottle – which they do sell. Such a great idea to pair the dessert wine and the dessert on the menu, because it adds to the ease of decision-making, and they certainly have their pairing right.
Overall, La Chapelle is a phenomenal restaurant and I would highly recommend to anyone dining for a more formal occasion. Be aware there is a dress code and it is reasonably formal, but as an upmarket restaurant I totally loved it. The Michelin star is certainly suited and if you are looking for somewhere to be truly treated, look no further.
What Did We Have?
Miruna
- Pressé of French quail and Landes foie gras, pomegranate & quail`s egg £19.50
- Grilled fillet of red mullet, shellfish Provençale, saffron potatoes & bouillabaisse sauce £26.50
- Champagne Moët & Chandon Impérial Brut 17.50 per glass
- 2013 Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise Paul Jaboulet Aine, Rhone, France £9.75 per glass
- Petit fours complimentary
Holly
- Tartare of Yellowfin tuna, rainbow radish & wasabi mayo £16.50
- Roast chateaubriand of Cumbrian beef, truffle pomme mousseline, bone marrow & artichokes £39.00
- Valhrona caramelia chocolate pannacotta, poached quince, honeycomb & sugar-pecans £9.50
- Champagne Moët & Chandon Impérial Brut 17.50 per glass
- 2013 Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise Paul Jaboulet Aine, Rhone, France £9.75 per glass
- Petit fours complimentary
