Taking to the next level
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| Barbary Duck Classic “Canard aux Cerises” Dried & Fresh Cherries, Rainbow Chard Confit Duck Leg & Duck Jus |
This is my 5th visit to the much celebrated Gauthier restaurant in Soho. This popular restaurant is one of my personal favourite when I want to seek a high end French restaurant without needing to sell my house. It has a really good value lunch menu at £25 as well as a long tasting menu which is perfect for any serious fine dining lovers, a long menu containing up to 8 courses, based on in season prime ingredients. One really cool thing about this restaurant is its decor, it is spread across 3 floors inside an attached building, inside it has a really cosy feeling and it is almost like dining at someone else's home.
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| Blue Scottish lobster, raw peach, lemongrass |
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| Poached Pheasant Egg Wild Mushroom Purée |
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| Summer Truffle Risotto Acquarello Riso, Aged Parmesan Reggiano |
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| Miso marinated cod, sauteed girolle, leek, fish veloute |
The first course of blue lobster got us off to a incredible start, the lobster was cooked perfectly and had such a lovely freshness and sweetness to it which worked wonders with the sour profile of the peach and lemongrass foam. The truffle risotto is a signature dish of Gauthier, the texture of the rice was spot on, as was the seasoning, the earthy tone of the black truffle gave the dish such a rich and delightful flavour. The duck was another impressive dish, the meat was rich and moist with a nice settled bitterness while the cherries added a pleasant sharpness to balance it off. To finish off the meal, we had the restaurant's classic: Louis 15, a dark chocolate mousse which was powerful in taste but wonderfully balanced and not overly thicken.
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| Smoked Ricotta Cheese, Isle of Wight Tomatoes |
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| Apricot & Peach Lemon Verbena Jelly, Yuzu & Lemon Thyme Sorbet |
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| Golden Louis XV 70% Dark Chocolate Mousse & Crunchy Praline |
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| Petit four |
On the way out of the restaurant, I was filled with joy, the meal was of a really high standard and I found the cooking has progressed to a higher level. This was by far the best meal out of the total 5 visits. If the Michelin Guide does not offer Gauthier the much deserved star in the upcoming guide, then the decision would be very questionable. The service was also top notch, formal but not snooty, very heart warming and great attention to detail. Gauthier is really a special restaurant and one that is a must try for anyone who is a fan of high quality French food, you won't be disappointed.
Food 4.5/5
Executive chef:
Alexis Gauthier
What I paid:
£59 pp with wine (Summer offer)
Average cost without drinks and services:
£25 lunch menu
£75 tasting menu
21 Romilly St, London W1D 5AF
http://www.gauthiersoho.co.uk/
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