• French• Mayfair
Hélène Darroze at the Connaught is the jewel in the crown of the historic Connaught hotel in Mayfair, which also houses the more casual Jean-Georges at the Connaught, the Connaught Grill, the Connaught Patisserie and the award-winning Connaught Bar.
The restaurant won its third Michelin Star for its contemporary take on classic French fine dining in early 2021. It cements chef-patron Hélène Darroze’s place as London food royalty and joining just four other restaurants in the city to claim the honour.
An unforgettable way to eat at Hélène Darroze is the Sommelier’s Table, a private dining experience deep in the wine cellars below the restaurant. You’ll dine surrounded by 30,000 bottles of wine, with a bespoke wine pairing to match the day’s tasting menu.
Every single item appeared to be served by a different person, each and every one of them friendly and charming, and so ferociously attentive that had either of us sniffed, someone doubtless would have materialised table-side with a hankie to catch any ensuing sneeze.
There are a mere nine restaurants in the capital which can boast two Michelin stars, and this is one of them. That’s no mean feat, but perhaps not surprising given Darroze’s impressive accomplishments.
Each dish has a subtle, usually spice-based layer that lifts the flavour profile without dominating it.
we left feeling that the food, although good, doesn't quite live up to all the worshipful rigmarole that surrounds it.
Genial staff take obvious pleasure in working this historic dining room, with its beautiful wood panelling and floral plasterwork ceiling.
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