Gauthier Soho

King of Soho

Scottish scallop, chorozo, squid, marrow

For the 6th time, I headed back to Gauthier Soho for a lengthy tasting menu affair. Located in the heart of Soho, this fine French restaurant is full of charm and renowned for its modern French cooking whilst maintaining a touch of classic element. Unlike many other high end French restaurants, it is well priced with one of the best lunch deal in town, £45 for 3 courses, a glass of bubbles and 2 glasses of wine.  Come for dinner, its low light setting, small but well spread out space make it ideal for impressing a date, not to mention its 8 course tasting menu is simply a patch to food heaven. The below are some of the highlights from the dinner tasting menu.

amuse bouche

Poached Pheasant Egg Potato Rosti, Sautéed Girolle, Chicken Jus

Black Truffle Risotto Acquarello Risotto, Aged Parmesan Reggiano

Halibut, girolle, fish veloute

The Scottish scallop was an exceptional starter, it was seasoned and cooked to perfection. This dish used squid and chorizo to add a lovely depth of texture and richer taste, it was simply stunning.  Just like last year, the Barbary duck is once again on the menu, and it was just as good, if not better. The meat was so tender and blessed with rich and robust meaty flavours, the garnish of cherry was clever, with its fruitiness and sourness to offset the bold taste. I was an instant fan of the blackberry vacherin as soon as it arrived on to the table, it had an interesting design with a scoop of blackberry sorbet hiding inside a meringue ball. It was a simple but refreshing dessert with a fine balance of sweetness.

Barbary Duck, cherry, Swiss chard

Pitchouent

Blackberry Vacherin Lime & Blackberry Sorbet

Golden Louis XV 70% Dark Chocolate Mousse Crunchy Praline

Tasting menu always has the risk where one or two courses failed to impress, but that is not the case at Gauthier. Every course were either good to exceptional, technically sound and finely presented on a plate. On top of that, the service at Gauthier is top class, as far as on a fine dining level. This restaurant is one of the best French restaurants Soho has to offer, and I would 100% return again. Come on Michelin spectators, Gauthier totally deserve to win back its Michelin star, please do the right thing;)


Food 4.5/5

Executive chef: 
Alexis Gauthier

What I paid: 
£69 pp with wine (Summer offer)

Average cost without drinks and services:
£45 lunch tasting menu
£75 dinner tasting menu

21 Romilly St, London W1D 5AF

http://www.gauthiersoho.co.uk/