Galvin La Chapelle

Plenty of London restaurants wax lyrical about the history of the building they reside in, but the former life of this Michelin-starred outpost of Chris and Jeff Galvin’s empire is obvious from the outset. Housed in what was the Grade II-listed St Botolph’s Hall, the restaurant’s “absolutely stunning” dining room features double-height ceilings, marble columns, curving arches and huge windows.

You might expect a restaurant of such grand proportions to feel cold or devoid of atmosphere, but Galvin La Chapelle is the opposite, the undeniable warmth of the room buoyed along by plush drapes, gorgeous floral arrangements and candle light. These accents also ensure that La Chapelle doesn’t only appeal to City slickers, with the restaurant being a viable destination for date night or celebration dinners with family and friends.

Service achieves that winning combination of “attentive, but not overly so”, while the cooking combines timeless French technique with a light, modern touch. Lasagne of Dorset crab involves homemade pasta encasing a rich buttery mouthful of shellfish, while seasonal favourites such as loin of venison are cooked to perfection.

Elsewhere, velvety tagliatelle is crowned with white truffle and the pleasing crunch of toasted breadcrumbs, while dessert sees tarte Tatin (made with Pink Lady apples) served with a smooth dollop of Normandy crème fraiche to cut through the stickiness.

Alongside Galvin La Chapelle’s à la carte, you’ll also find an excellent three-course Sunday lunch which features the likes of roast rump of Cumbrian beef with Yorkshire pudding, roasted potatoes, carrots and green beans, while multi-course set menus with optional wine pairings are ones to save for a special occasion. While La Chapelle may be rooted in tradition, it’s not afraid to keep up with modern tastes either – note the dedicated vegetarian and vegan menus.

Excellent food deserves to be matched with wine that is just as impressive, so you’d do well to choose from La Chapelle’s extensive selection, which ranges from accessibly priced tipples by the glass and carafe, to Champagnes that clock in well above the £1,000 mark.

Magnificent arched windows, soaring stone ceilings and sophisticated decor provide a beautiful backdrop in which to indulge in Michelin-starred dining at Galvin La Chapelle. Like all Galvin outposts, La Chapelle provides high-quality cuisine designed by brothers Chris, Jeff and David Galvin alongside luxurious surroundings and warm and hospitable staff, making it a popular choice for celebrating special occasions.

Galvin La Chapelle majors in modern French cuisine crafted from produce sourced fresh every day from Covent Garden Market. Seasonality is of huge importance to the Galvin family, so expect ever-changing dishes on their range of menus, which include vegetarian, vegan, tasting and special menus for high days and holidays, such as Valentine’s and Father’s Day.

As you’d expect from a Michelin-starred French restaurant, the food here is exquisitely presented. Diners wax lyrical about the beautiful presentation of each dish before going on to praise the taste and textures. Wonderful combinations come together in starters like Dorset crab lasagne with beurre Nantais and pea shoots, and velouté of Ironbark pumpkin served with seared foie gras, Lyonnaise onion and bacon crumb.

Mains take the form of dishes such as grilled Cornish red mullet with cuttlefish, orange-braised fennel, pine nut purée and sauce vierge, or roast loin of Icelandic cod accompanied by crushed Charlotte potatoes, cauliflower and a warm raisin dressing, while desserts could be anything from blackberry soufflé and milk ice cream to mandarin parfait made with hazelnut, cocoa nib crumb and Valrhona chocolate ganache.

The set Menu du Chef offers excellent value when you consider Galvin La Chapelle’s Michelin Star credentials, though if you’re really looking to push the boat out, you ought to consider the Menu Gourmand – a seven-course tasting menu with optional wine pairing that can be enjoyed in the main dining room or on the private dining mezzanine for that extra special experience.