Galvin La Chapelle

City glamour

Galvin La Chapelle, photo from management

Two years on, I returned to the single Michelin starred restaurant Galvin La Chapelle. The cooking is classical French in principle with some light modern touches. I had a very delightful tasting menu last time when I was there, the lovely decor (a formal chapel) is one of the USP's of this restaurant, with a very high ceiling and charming services make it one of the most popular restaurants in the City. Due to the location, expect plenty of city workers, while dress code is smart casual, you might look out of place if you turn up in jeans.

mackerel, kohlrabi, pomegranate, cremfraiche

saddle of rabbit, spring green vegtables

fillet of lemon sole, fennel, tarragon

This time we went for the super good value offer from Toptable, 3 course dinner with a glass of champagne for £29 per person, this kind of price for a dinner in a Michelin restaurant sounded like a real bargain. I had the char grilled mackerel as my starter, it wasn't really Michelin standard for me with some fairly average creme fraiche and pomegranate to accomplish a piece of well cooked mackerel. Roast saddle of rabbit was an excellent main, the meat was very moist and finely seasoned, the hint of garlic worked especially well with the chervil veloute. Dessert of coconut pannacotta, again, it was very pleasant, light sweetness and sourness with lovely tropical flavours, but hardly Michelin territory. 

poached comice pear and pistachio cake

coconut pannacotta

To sum it up, it was a very decent meal, the bill came to only £35 per person which is very cheap considering it is a 3 course dinner in the City. you would pay similar fees for an average high street restaurant. The quality was nowhere near as good as my last visit but that is to be expected from a deal. It is very rare to find a restaurant's set lunch/deal qualities can match its full price dinner menu, especially at fine dining level. But putting that aside, it was still a very pleasant evening and the staff were very professional so you don't need to worry about being treated like a second class citizen.



Food 3.5/5

Executive chef: 
Jeff Galvin

What I paid: 
£35 per head

Average cost without drinks and services:
Lunch menu: £29
Tasting menu: £70

35 Spital Square, London, E1 6DY

http://www.galvinrestaurants.com